Black-and-white film review
Kodak Tri-X 400 Review
The classic high-contrast black-and-white film I prefer when portraits need more bite
I use Tri-X for street portraits and black-and-white photography when I want a darker, more contrasty negative than HP5 gives me. The character is the reason to buy it.
- Speed
- ISO 400
- Formats
- 35mm and 120
- Look
- Higher contrast, classic grain
The short answer
Who this film is for
- Best for
- Black-and-white portraits, street photography, low light and photographers who want a stronger starting look
- Skip it if
- You prefer lower contrast, softer mid-tones or need the most forgiving film for changing light
- My verdict
- Tri-X is the choice when the photograph benefits from contrast and grain instead of trying to hide them.
Current options
Where to buy it
35mm
The classic format for street and everyday cameras
Check Tri-X on Amazon →35mm
Compare current stock and pack sizes
Check Tri-X at B&H →See it in use
Black & White Street Photography in LA on Kodak Tri-X 400
Watch me use Kodak Tri-X 400 for street photography in Los Angeles.
The look
What to expect from the negative
Contrast
Strong
Tri-X gives portraits and street scenes a more decisive black-and-white starting point than HP5.
Grain
Classic and expressive
The grain is visible and useful when you want the photograph to feel like film rather than a clean digital file.
Latitude
Wide
Kodak positions Tri-X for low light, fast action and push processing, with enough latitude for practical handheld work.
What Kodak Tri-X looks like
Tri-X is darker and more contrasty than HP5 in my photographs. I like that for street portraits because faces separate clearly and the grain gives the image a physical texture.
It is not automatically better. If the light is already harsh or you want open shadows, HP5 gives you an easier starting point.
Pushing and pulling Tri-X
Tri-X is rated at ISO 400. Kodak specifically recommends it for push-processing applications and publishes a maximum pushability of EI 1600.
Pushing can be useful for available light, but it changes the negative. Expect more contrast and grain, and keep the same exposure index for the whole roll so the lab can process it consistently.
Kodak Tri-X vs Ilford HP5
For portraits, I lean toward Tri-X. For a day with many different subjects and lighting conditions, I lean toward HP5. That is a more useful distinction than trying to name one universal winner.
Keep comparing
Compare Tri-X with the other films I use
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
The lower-contrast, more forgiving black-and-white option for mixed conditions.
Read the review →Kodak Portra 400
A color-negative film built around natural skin tones and broad usefulness.
Read the review →Final verdict
Should you shoot Kodak Tri-X 400?
Yes, if you want visible grain and a contrasty black-and-white negative for portraits, street work or available light. Choose HP5 instead when flexibility and softer tones matter more than that classic Tri-X bite.
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