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Black-and-white negative · Black & white

Kodak Tri-X 400

The photojournalist's fast black-and-white classic since 1954.

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Planned media

Kodak Tri-X 400 printed on Kodak 2302: the classic 400-speed black-and-white film. Original vs Ashigrain.

Kodak Tri-X 400, Kodak B&W Print Film 2302

stock
Kodak Tri-X 400
mode
Print
print_film
Kodak B&W Print Film 2302
film_format
35mm still (135)
Exposure index
400
Introduced
1954
In production
Process
KODAK PROFESSIONAL T-MAX Developer, small tank, agitation at 30-second intervals, 20 C (68 F), 6 min
Prints on
2302
Kodak B&W Print Film 2302

About the film

Kodak Tri-X 400, code 400TX, is a high-speed panchromatic black-and-white negative in 135 and 120, recommended for push processing.

Kodak dates the 35 mm and roll-film Tri-X to 1954: its press release of February 2004 marked fifty years since TRI-X Roll Film came out in 135 and 120 on 1 November 1954, and Shutterbug's anniversary feature that year said the film had been sold only as sheet film until then. Shutterbug placed Tri-X in Kodak's series of X films that began with Panatomic-X, and its author wrote that the film of 2004 differed completely from the earlier Tri-X after several revisions. WIRED described it as the black-and-white film photojournalists turned to soon after its 35 mm launch, valued for its wide latitude. Kodak's June 1999 sheet documented it as Tri-X Pan Film, ISO 400, already recommended for push processing, alongside the ISO 320 Tri-X Pan Professional films. In May 2007 Kodak issued a new sheet, saying production was moving to a more advanced coating facility and that new technology applied to the long-established emulsions changed processing times slightly while giving the same results. That sheet's MTF and spectral-sensitivity curves were made with the older Tri-X Pan Film 5063, which Kodak said early data suggested also applied to the new films. Kodak Alaris's current sheet, of October 2021, lists Tri-X 400 in 135 and 120 for dim light, fast action and push processing.

Sources for this history
  1. KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data (F-4017, October 2021), Kodak Alaris Inc.
  2. KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data (F-4017, May 2007), Eastman Kodak Company
  3. KODAK TRI-X Pan and KODAK TRI-X Pan Professional Films Technical Data (F-9, June 1999), Eastman Kodak Company
  4. Kodak Celebrates 50 Years of TRI-X (press release, February 2004), Eastman Kodak Company
  5. 35mm Tri-X Celebrates Its 50th, Shutterbug
  6. The Kodak Film That's Been Capturing History for 61 Years, WIRED

The look

Kodak Tri-X 400 is a high-speed panchromatic black-and-white negative made for dim light, fast action and push processing, where pushing adds contrast and grain. It prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default, or on a colour print film for a near-neutral image with the print's own tint.

Kodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: Ashigrain
Kodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: Ashigrain
Kodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Tri-X 400 sample frame: Ashigrain

Best for

  1. Street and documentary work in dim light
  2. Fast action with deep depth of field
  3. Pushed night scenes with gritty grain

Compare camera films

FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
CinefotocolorCinefotocolor−5⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 8−5⅔ stops.0191948
GasparcolorGasparcolor−5 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 12−5 stops.0181932
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191945
ORWOCOLOR UK 14ORWOCOLOR UK 14−4⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 20−4⅓ stops.0111964
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−4 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 25−4 stops.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432−3⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 32−3⅔ stops.0071962
Svema DS-5MSvema DS-5M−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 40−3⅓ stops.0051979
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 40−3⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0111998
Konica Impresa 50Konica Impresa 50−3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0051998
DufaycolorDufaycolor−3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0121935
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0161974–2009
ORWOCOLOR NC 3ORWOCOLOR NC 3−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0071972
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−2⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 80−2⅓ stops.0131997–
Svema LN-9Svema LN-9−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 95−2 stops.0071988
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain the sameEI 100−2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0102000–
Gevacolor 682Gevacolor 682−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0061979
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0211980–
Tasma NK-2Tasma NK-2−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0121980
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062026–
Fujifilm C200Fujifilm C200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052017
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200−1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250−⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400Fsame speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain the sameEI 400same speed.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400Xsame speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedsame speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · this filmEI 400this film.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · same speed vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0072007–
Kodak 500T 5230Kodak 500T 5230+⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092011
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+1 stop vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain finerEI 1600+2 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Tri-X 400 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0191998–

Science & sources

Kodak Tri-X 400 calibration chart: OriginalKodak Tri-X 400 calibration chart: Processed
Synthetic test chart (skin tones, Munsell greys, colour bars, tone and hue ramps, step wedge, memory-colour roll-off, halation star) before and after the full Ashigrain pipeline: print branch on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302, Super 35 4-perf, default controls, exposure +0.76 stops to match the original's mid-grey, frame 0.

A fast panchromatic black-and-white negative rated at EI 400. Its curves, spectral sensitivity and MTF are digitised from Kodak Alaris's 2021 sheet, whose MTF and spectral charts match those Kodak's 2007 edition says were made with the older Tri-X Pan 5063. Its grain is built from the sheet's single RMS granularity value, and the EI 1600 push uses the sheet's 9 minute curve. It prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default.

Response curves and the evidence behind the model

Compare manufacturer data with Ashigrain’s response on the same axes. These curves show how the model is calibrated to its sources; they do not establish a match to photographed film.

Characteristic response

Density against log H (lux-seconds) for channels N. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are digitised, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: digitised and simulated.−4.0−3.0−2.0−1.00.01.0log H (lux-seconds)0.00.51.01.52.02.5Density

RMS granularity

RMS granularity (σD) against Density for channels N. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are datasheet-based, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: datasheet-based and simulated.0.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.6Density0.00.0050.010.0150.020.025RMS granularity (σD)

Density variation (σD) measured through a 48 µm aperture. Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.

ChannelDensityDatasheet-based σDModel σD
N0.30.0093110.009176
N0.60.0131680.012976
N10.0170.016752
N1.50.0208210.020517

Model limits

These images show the film model in use. Spectral response, lighting and viewing conditions include approximations. Halation, bloom, grain size, weave and flicker are not fully measured for each film. The look of real film also depends on development and print timing.

  • Custom lighting spectra, camera metering and the spectral reflectance inferred from fixed-white-balance footage are assumptions used by the model, not measurements of this film.
  • The source gives a daylight exposure index but no colour balance. Daylight calibration and spectrally neutral silver density are assumptions.
  • The source gives only diffuse RMS granularity 17 × 10⁻³ at net density 1.0, measured after HC-110 development rather than the T-MAX Developer of the characteristic curves. The response away from that point and the silver-clump size are modelled.
  • Kodak's 2007 sheet says its MTF and spectral-sensitivity charts were made with the older Tri-X Pan Film 5063. The current sheet's charts match those drawings, so the sharpness and spectral response modelled here may predate the current emulsion.
  • The EI 1600 push uses the chart's 9 minute curve, against the development table's 8¾ minutes; EI 800 uses the normal curve, and other push amounts use a generic model.
  • The printed MTF rises above 100 %, which the model renders as a development adjacency effect. Its width, amplitude and dependence on density and development are not published and are approximated.
  • The sheet prints reciprocity corrections at a few exposure times; the correction between them is interpolated.
  • The sheet names no antihalation layer; an undercoat is assumed, and the single-layer halation response is not measured.
  • The characteristic response beyond log H −3.45 to 0.35 is extrapolated.
  • In the print branch it prints on Kodak B&W Print Film 2302 by default. Black-and-white print timing is modelled.

Reciprocity: modelled from 1/100000 s to 100 s, following the datasheet's corrections for long and short exposures. Exposure time stops at the ends of that range.

Film guide: assumptions and practical choices

Sources

  1. Process: KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data, F-4017, Revised 10-21, p. 3
  2. Diffuse RMS granularity: KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data, F-4017, Revised 10-21, p. 7
  3. Exposure index: KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data, F-4017, Revised 10-21, p. 7
  4. Characteristic curves: KODAK PROFESSIONAL TRI-X 320 and 400 Films Technical Data, F-4017, Revised 10-21, p. 8

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