Observations: Like Ilford FP4 Plus, Kodak Tri-X 400 offers an excellent range of tonality and contrast with a bit more grain that is still very pleasing. Compared to slower black and white films, shadow areas can appear a bit dark especially when exposing for highlights but not excessively so. At first, I was put off by this. But the more I’ve used Tri-X 400, the more I’ve come to like the way those dark shadows give my images a classic, almost film noir look. The long heritage of Tri-X 400 is in full effect here. Highlights show few if any hot spots like other emulsions can have. I find Tri-X 400 to be a little less forgiving of exposure setting errors than slower film stocks, which is to say that I’m quite impressed—there isn’t a dramatic change in overall exposure from one stop to the next, although slower films like FP4 Plus handle those changes a bit more gracefully. Like FP4 Plus, I like the look I get with Kodak Tri-X 400 straight out of the scanner. Images don’t require too much postprocessing, and they have that classic traditional look that appeals to me.
Left: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/250 sec., f/8.
I exposed for shadows and, using Paint.NET, pulled highlight brightness back for an overall better balanced image.
Right: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/1000 sec., f/11.
Kodak Tri-X 400 handled sky brightness very well with a pleasing range of grey tones and without excessive graininess.Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 zoom lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/8.
When exposing for highlights, Kodak Tri-X preserves a good deal (but not a ton) of shadow detail.
Left: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/125 sec., f/2.8.
This interior shot demonstrates the wonderful grey tones and contrast that Kodak Tri-X 400 is capable of rendering.
Right: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 zoom lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/4.8.
I exposed this shot for highlights. Shadow brightness is a touch darker than what I would have hoped for, but it’s not bad at all.
Left: Nikon F with Nikkor-Q 135mm f/3.5 lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/60 sec., f/4.
Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-Q 135mm f/3.5 lens, Kodak Tri-X 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/8.
I scanned both of these photographs using the SilverFast NegaFix profile for Kodak BW 400CN.
They show the gritty contrast that Tri-X can give you.
