The Revue 400 L is a 35 mm camera. It is a simpler version of the Revue 400 SE. For example, it lacks the rangefinder.
It was distributed by Foto-Quelle, at that time a large mail order company for photographic equipment in West-Germany, under their house brand “Revue”. It was manufactured by another company.
The camera, which dates from the 1970s, comes with a 38mm f/2.8 lens (Revuenon), this is fixed inside it and cannot be replaced.
Instead of the rank finder, the 400 L has small pictograms around the lens to make focusing easier. Of course, there is no autofocus.
The camera sets the exposure automatically. 35mm film with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 400 is supported. A good film for color photos is the Kodak Gold 200*.
The juice for the exposure meter comes from a PX675 1.35 volt mercury battery. This can be replaced with a hearing aid battery of similar voltage. In addition, the Revue 400 L has a hot shoe for a flash unit.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 38 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/30 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 400 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Power supply | 1x PX675 1.35V mercury battery |
| Company name of the brand | Foto Quelle |
| Estimated value / Used price | 49,05 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 23 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 55,33 Euro (59.53 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 52,94 Euro (56.28 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 56,35 Euro (60.61 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Revue 400 L
Is the Revue 400 L a difficult camera to use?
No, the Revue 400 L is designed for simplicity. It lacks features like a rangefinder, making it quite user-friendly for beginners. The automatic exposure setting also simplifies operation.
Can I change the lens on this camera?
No, the 38mm f/2.8 lens is fixed. It's a permanent part of the camera and cannot be removed or replaced with another lens. This is common in simpler cameras.
How does the camera focus on the subject?
Instead of a rangefinder, the Revue 400 L uses small pictograms around the lens to help you estimate the focus distance. Manual focusing is required; there's no autofocus.
What kind of film does this camera use?
The Revue 400 L takes standard 35mm film. It supports ISO sensitivities from ISO 25 to ISO 400.
What type of battery does the light meter need?
It originally used a PX675 1.35V mercury battery, but these are now hard to find. Fortunately, a similar-voltage hearing aid battery can be used as a replacement.