Kodak Eastman Kodak TRI-X 400 35mm X 30.5m

Kodak Eastman Kodak TRI-X 400 35mm X 30.5m | Classic black-and-white character for film photography

In a changing street scene, light can shift between bright areas and deep shade before you’ve finished framing. Kodak Eastman Kodak TRI-X 400 is a panchromatic black-and-white film rated at ISO 400, supplied as a 35mm roll measuring 30.5 metres. That combination makes it a considered option for reportage and art photography, where the subject and its tonal character matter as much as the available light. The long roll is also a different format from a ready-to-use short roll: it provides a continuous length of film rather than a single pre-cut roll. Tri-X has a recognisable grain character, alongside the capacity to render a range of greys and retain detail in darker areas. Those qualities give portraits, documentary scenes and considered black-and-white studies a distinct film look. For a shop window, a face against a dark background or a quick moment on the street, the appeal is its balance of speed, tonal rendering and texture. It’s a straightforward choice when you’re after monochrome photographs with visible film character rather than a perfectly smooth digital appearance. The 30.5-metre length is the headline practical detail here; the image-making character comes from Kodak’s classic Tri-X emulsion.

Film Characteristics

• Panchromatic black-and-white: The film records a monochrome image across the visible spectrum. That makes it suitable for scenes where shape, light and tonal relationships carry the picture rather than colour.
• ISO 400 speed: Its nominal speed gives the film a place in a range of available-light situations. It’s a relevant specification for reportage, where the scene can move quickly and lighting conditions can vary.
• Broad exposure latitude: Tri-X is noted for handling a wide range of exposure conditions. For scenes with a mixture of brighter and darker areas, that latitude offers flexibility across changing light.
• Defined shadow detail: The film is described as retaining detail in shadows. That matters for subjects with dark clothing, shaded faces or interiors, where losing all texture in the low tones can change the feel of the photograph.
• Subtle greyscale rendering: Tri-X produces a broad, pleasing range of grey tones. This tonal character is useful in portraits and art photography, where small shifts in light across a subject help shape the image.
• Classic grain structure: Its crystal and grain pattern is a recognisable part of the look. Rather than hiding the texture of film, Tri-X makes grain part of the photograph’s character, especially in documentary-style images.
• Sharp image detail: The film combines its grain character with good resolving ability. That balance keeps detail present while preserving the textured appearance that distinguishes traditional black-and-white film.

What's Included

• Kodak TRI-X 400 black-and-white film, 35mm, 30.5m

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Kodak
• Model: TRI-X 400
• Type: Panchromatic black-and-white film
• Format: 35mm
• Film speed: ISO 400
• Length: 30.5m
• Image characteristics: Classic crystal and grain structure
• Intended applications: Art and reportage photography