Kodak Tri-X 400 - 35mm Black & White Film
The one. The legend. The film Don McCullin panic-bought 150 rolls of during Kodak's bankruptcy. Kodak Tri-X has been around since 1940, which means it's been getting the shot longer than most of us have been alive. This is the black and white film for photojournalism, street photography, and pretty much everything else that matters. With its classic grain structure, exceptional tonal range, and flexibility that borders on supernatural, Tri-X handles any lighting situation you throw at it and still delivers images with soul. This isn't just film—it's a connection to 20th century photography history. Also, it survived Kodak's 2012 bankruptcy, so you know it's tougher than most of your relationships.
What Makes Kodak Tri-X Legendary
ISO 400 - The iconic speed that defined an era of photojournalism. Fast enough for available light, slow enough for gorgeous grain and sharpness. This is the film that covered wars, revolutions, and your mate's birthday party with equal competence.
Over 80 Years Old - First introduced in 1940 and still going strong. If Tri-X were a person, it would have stories. Fortunately it's film, so it just quietly gets on with being excellent.
Classic Grain Structure - That beautiful, characterful grain that makes everything look like it belongs in a gallery or a museum retrospective. Fine grain with personality—not clinical, not overwhelming, just right.
Exceptional Tonal Range - Incredible grey scale definition from deep blacks to bright whites with everything rendered gorgeously in between. This is what proper black and white photography looks like.
Wide Exposure Latitude - Recover highlights and shadows through processing choices, rate it anywhere you fancy, and still get usable results. Tri-X is forgiving in ways most films (and people) aren't.
Push Processing Friendly - Want to shoot at 800? 1600? 3200? Tri-X handles it without falling apart. This film was made for difficult situations and creative abuse.
Ultra Fine Grain - Despite the classic grain structure, it's remarkably fine. Great sharpness and detail suitable for enlargement without looking like you shot through a screen door.
Survived Bankruptcy - When Kodak restructured in 2012, Don McCullin bought 150 rolls just in case. That's the kind of panic that tells you everything about how irreplaceable this film is. Fortunately, it survived, and we're all better for it.
Best For
Photojournalism, street photography, documentary work, portraits with character, any situation where you need a film that just works, connecting with photography history, and feeling slightly superior about your film choice (justified, in this case).
Perfect for indoor or outdoor shooting, any lighting condition, and creating images that look like they matter—because on Tri-X, somehow they do.
Perfect for photographers who want to shoot the same film as the legends. Tri-X isn't just film stock—it's a legacy you load into your camera 36 (or 24) frames at a time.