Old slr camera- how to test it still works?

I've just inherited an old SLR camera from the 80's and wondered whether there's anyway to test it still works, without putting a film through it?
The camera itself and the lenses seem fine...the only worry I have is that the shutter only releases and shuts for a millisecond - surely for longer exposures it should stay open for longer? (I have very little knowledge about cameras though so this might be normal, I don't know)

Any help would be brilliant

thanks

You can change the length of time the shutter stays open. What kind of camera do you have?
The lens aperture must be pretty wide if the shutter is so fast.
They work together -- large lens opening lets in more light so the shutter doesn't need to stay open very long. It's a tradeoff. Smaller lens opening = more depth of field but requires more light (longer time for shutter to stay open - increases need for tripod). and on and on and on. Why don't you google the manufacturer and see if they have some kind of online manual.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Camera...

Before you put any film in the camera, operate it using all the various shutter speeds and apertures ... loosen every thing up. Then put a new battery in the camera so your light meter will work.

Then practice focusing and picking the correct exposure under various lighting conditions for a few days. Then once you have a good feel for the camera, load it with some film and shoot it using all the skills you have learned "dry firing" the camera.

If you have done your homework, all the images should be in focus and perfectly exposed

It should be fine. Check out the camera and you should be able to adjust the shutter speed in increments. Follow Fhotoace's suggestions but if you are still not sure bring it into a camera shop. They will check it out for you and sell you the film.

I would suggest that the first thing to do is go out and get fresh batteries for the camera. Weak batteries might give you false indications weather the camera is working correctly. Second if your knowledge of cameras is lacking, find someone you trust who has more knowledge of cameras to check it out for you,or take it to a camera repair shop for cleaning, and maintenance. They can guide you in how well the camera still operates.

Any camera more than 20 years old should go to a repair shop for a clean, lubricate and adjust (CLA).

Photography is expensive -- there's no way around it.

HTH
V