120 Kodak Tri-X 400
Product information
120 Kodak Tri-X 400| Manufacturer | Kodak |
| Film | TRI-X 400 |
| ISO | 400 |
| Format | 120 |
Kodak Tri-X 400 120: The Black and White of Legends
Certain emulsions don't just capture history, they define it. The Kodak Tri-X 400 120 is the pinnacle of black and white documentary photography. Its unmistakable contrast and deep grain have been the tool of the most iconic photojournalists of the 20th century. Today, in medium format, this film offers overwhelming resolution without losing an ounce of its raw, rough and poetic character, ideal for auteur projects and studio portraiture.
What makes the Kodak Tri-X 400 120 film roll legendary?
The magic of this film lies in its astonishing flexibility. Conceived as a fast ISO 400 emulsion, it tolerates light abuse that would destroy other films. Its push-processing capability is unmatched; you can push it to ISO 1600 or even 3200 and it will still deliver brilliant whites and jet blacks with a highly aesthetic grain. In addition, the gigantic medium format negative softens the classic Tri-X texture, providing tonal transitions of spectacular delicacy.
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The wildest street now in 35mm.
If the neatness of 120 format seems too clean to you and you're looking for the classic rough and aggressive grain of urban photojournalism, get the legend in its original format. Buy the Kodak Tri-X 400 in 35mm to get the most out of your SLR camera at the highest level of street shooting.
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Technical Specifications and Basic Comparison
Mastering black and white requires knowing the mathematics of silver. We break down the exact technical x-ray of this American marvel.
- Format: 120 roll (Medium Format).
- Nominal sensitivity: ISO 400 / 27° (Panchromatic).
- Emulsion type: Black and White Negative (Traditional grain).
- Base support: Acetate with protective paper.
- Development: Standard Black and White process (B&W chemistry).
| Feature | Kodak Tri-X 400 120 | Ilford HP5 Plus 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Native Contrast | High (Very marked whites and blacks) | Medium/Low (Grayish, lots of latitude) |
| Grain Structure | Classic, textured, very defined | Classic, softer and more diffuse |
| Push-Processing Behavior | Drastically increases contrast | Maintains midtones and shadows better |
Technical Variables of Analog Film
- Color Saturation: Not applicable. Its beauty lies in the richness of its pure silver grays.
- Contrast: Strong and decisive. Its deep blacks isolate the subject, giving a dramatic and impactful look straight from the scanner.
- Exposure Latitude (Dynamic Range): Wide. It allows overexposure to obtain dense shadows, although it is not as forgiving with underexposure as HP5.
- Skin Tone Reproduction: Sublime in the studio. Under controlled light, skin acquires a ceramic luminosity and sculptural volume.
- Grain Structure and Size: Classic cubic grain. In 120 format, this grain becomes imperceptible in normal prints, appearing only as a fine texture in large enlargements.
- Color Cast: Base with a slight purplish tendency in some developers, completely invisible after grayscale scanning.
- Sharpness and Resolving Power: Very high. Its cutting edges accentuate the micro-detail of medium format lenses, clearly separating it from the background.
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Why buy your Kodak Tri-X 120 at Camera Market?
We breathe black and white in our trays. We are a real, active professional analog lab and we process this mythical emulsion with dedicated Kodak Xtol or D-76 chemistry. We know that the freshness of the silver is vital. We store every medium format roll in climate-controlled environments to prevent heat fogging. We ship your order quickly within 24/48 hours with absolute safety. If the "Curly" effect of its base when scanning scares you, our lab technician will advise you by phone on how to flatten it correctly.
Pros and Cons of Kodak Tri-X 400 120
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Iconic "Kodak Look" contrast that brings drama effortlessly. | Notoriously curled acetate base; difficult to scan flat. |
| Legendary push-processing tolerance; you can easily shoot it at ISO 1600. | High-end price compared to European options like Foma. |
| The 120 format tames its classic grain, making it subtle and elegant. | If underexposed, shadows quickly fall into a dark abyss. |
Comparison Table: Tri-X 400 vs. similar films
| B/W Film 120 Format | Contrast and Aesthetics | Category and Use |
|---|---|---|
| Kodak Tri-X 400 120 | High contrast, sharp grain, dramatic | Documentary / Raw Portrait |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 120 | Low contrast, grayish, lots of information | Press / All-Terrain Use |
| Kodak T-Max 400 120 | Medium contrast, invisible grain (T-Grain) | Clinical Studio / Architecture |
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The monochrome giants Top selling 120 B&W.
Find out what massive silver emulsions studio photographers are loading. Explore our Black and White 120 film section to compare the aggressiveness of Tri-X with the enormous latitude and smoothness of the classic European Ilford HP5.
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Development Times for Kodak Tri-X 400 (at 20°C)
Unlike color, black and white is chemical craftsmanship. We show you the times for the most popular developers at 20°C in a spiral tank.
| Developer Chemical | Dilution | Exposed ISO | Exact Time (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak D-76 / Ilford ID-11 | Stock (Pure) | 400 (Nominal) | 6 min 45 sec |
| Kodak D-76 / Ilford ID-11 | 1+1 | 400 (Nominal) | 9 min 45 sec |
| Kodak HC-110 | Dilution B (1+31) | 400 (Nominal) | 4 min 30 sec |
| Rodinal / Adox F09 | 1+25 | 400 (Nominal) | 7 min 00 sec |
*Find more data in the Massive Dev Chart.
Camera Market Pro Tip: The fast developer trap
It is very common that in the darkroom, when developing Kodak Tri-X with HC-110 (Dilution B), the times are extremely short (about 4 and a half minutes). When taking out the negative, customers see wild contrast and empty shadows.
The law of short times: Any development time under 5 minutes is dangerous. Filling and emptying the tank already takes almost 30 seconds, which represents a huge percentage of error. If you're after the classic gray-rich tonality of Tri-X, we recommend diluting the developer. Use D-76 at 1+1 dilution (almost 10 minutes) or switch HC-110 to Dilution H (1+63). A slower, diluted development allows the shadows to develop fully without the highlights blocking up and becoming unscannable. Give the silver time to form.
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Physical Behavior and Scannability
We tackle the home photographer's main enemy: taming the base of Kodak Tri-X in medium format.
Planarity (Film Curl)
This is the nightmare of Kodak's 120 format. Unlike Ilford's modern, flat bases, Tri-X's acetate base curls fiercely (extreme cupping) after drying. If you try to scan it immediately, the plastic guides of your Epson won't be able to keep it flat, ruining focus. It is absolutely mandatory to cut the strips and press them under heavy encyclopedias for at least 48 hours before bringing them near the scanner.
Inversion profiles (Scanning)
Inverting black and white is straightforward. Simply scan in grayscale (16-bit) and adjust the white and black points. Since Tri-X already has high native contrast, be cautious with the tone curve in Lightroom. If you raise the highlights too much, you'll lose that subtle detail in the whites that is so hard to develop.
At the Limit: Extreme Exposure and the Zone System
Get to know the brutal chemical resilience of this film to face the darkness.
Reciprocity Failure
It suffers light fatigue as is usual with classic cubic technology. From 1 second of exposure on a tripod, it demands exponential compensation. If the meter reads 10 seconds, you'll need to expose for almost 50 seconds so the shadows maintain density in the negative.
Extreme Pushing (Push) and Pulling (Pull)
It is the undisputed king of pushing. Pushing Tri-X to ISO 1600 (Push +2) in developers like Microphen or HC-110 is a standard in photojournalism. Contrast becomes raw, aggressive, and the grain emerges furiously, ideal for concert photography and "grunge" aesthetics. Pulling it to ISO 200 will greatly soften its tones, although T-Max is a better choice for that clinical task.
Dynamic Range Map
It has an excellent asymmetric cushion. It absorbs highlights prodigiously; a cloudy sky will rarely be an unscannable pure white. However, it doesn't have the shadow elasticity of its rival, HP5. Meter prioritizing the dark areas (Zones III or IV of Ansel Adams' Zone System) and develop to control the highlights.
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Artisanal magic in silver Black and White Lab.
Black and white demands manual care, not fast color machines. Send us your huge exposed Tri-X roll for dedicated artisanal processing in a small tank and a high-resolution scan that will bring out its dense blacks and vibrant whites.
Request Artisanal B&W Development
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Camera Market Pro Tip: The cursed grease of 120 Format
A recurring problem when processing films in 120 format, including Kodak Tri-X, is seeing strange dark circular spots and number marks in the sky of developed negatives, believing the film was expired.
The physics of the backing paper: Medium format is rolled together with an opaque paper that has the frame numbers printed on it. If you store your film in very hot or humid places, or keep it for a long time, the ink or protective waxes from this paper physically transfer to the film emulsion (a phenomenon known as "Mottling"). Absolute prevention: Always store your 120 rolls in the fridge inside Zip-type airtight bags (to avoid moisture). When you take them out, let them acclimatize for a couple of hours before tearing the wrapper. Also, if you're going to fly, keep in mind that the new CT scanners at airports will also fog your valuable ISO 400; always ask for a manual inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kodak Tri-X 400 120 (FAQ)
What sets Kodak Tri-X 400 apart from Ilford HP5 Plus?
They are the two great legends of black and white. Kodak Tri-X 400 offers higher native contrast and deeper blacks straight after development, with a more defined grain full of character. Ilford HP5 Plus is softer, offers a wider grayscale range and is more forgiving of exposure errors.
Why shoot Tri-X in medium format instead of 35mm?
While in 35mm Tri-X stands out for its rough, aesthetic grain, in 120 format that grain is spread over a much larger surface. The result is an image that retains all the personality and micro-contrast of the emulsion, but with astonishing cleanliness and sharpness that elevate any portrait or landscape.
Can I develop this film roll at any quick lab?
It is not recommended. As it is a traditional black and white film, it requires specific chemical processes that automatic C-41 labs do not usually have. To guarantee the quality of your negatives, you must send it to a professional lab that works black and white by hand.
How much does it cost to develop 120 B&W at Camera Market?
We have a specialized black and white lab service. We develop by hand in small tanks using fresh chemicals (such as Kodak XTOL or D-76) to ensure the best possible contrast and detail. Check our website for our processing and high-resolution scanning rates.
Why has my 120 film roll unrolled when taking it out?
Unlike 35mm, 120 depends on the tension of the paper on the spool. If you do not maintain tension with your thumb when loading or unloading the camera, the roll can «inflate» (Fat Roll effect), allowing light to enter through the edges. Always make sure to tighten the paper well and seal it with the adhesive band as soon as you take it out.
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Master the alchemy Black and White Chemicals.
Black and white comes to life in the darkroom. Use our legendary Kodak D-76 or HC-110 Developers to process your medium format rolls manually in your sink, achieving absolute control of contrast and push processing.
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Fire up the contrast and texture that forged history
The Kodak Tri-X 400 120 is the analog Holy Grail for photographers who demand a dramatic, striking, and timeless aesthetic. Its wild contrast straight out of the camera, combined with the beastly resolution that the medium format provides, make it the absolute ammunition for auteur portraits, classic photojournalism, and landscapes full of character. Don't let low digital contrast wash away your intentions. Add a good supply of these giant rolls to your cart right now and take advantage of our insured shipping in 24/48 hours. Remember that our lab artisans will process your film in pure Kodak D-76 chemistry, extracting that monochrome magic that magazines have adored for decades.
120 Kodak Tri-X 400 is in <strong>perfect working condition</strong>. Each unit has been rigorously inspected by our specialized technical team, guaranteeing optimal performance.
The specific cosmetic condition (possible signs of use, superficial scratches, etc.) is detailed in the actual photos of the product and in the full description.
The purchase includes the 120 Kodak Tri-X 400 and a <strong>warranty</strong> against manufacturing defects. As this is a second-hand product, accessories (caps, lens hood, case…) <strong>vary by unit</strong>.
Want to know exactly what this specific unit includes before buying? <strong>Message us via the website chat</strong> and we'll confirm right away.
All our products include a <strong>warranty</strong> covering any manufacturing defect or technical failure.
<strong>You can extend the warranty of your item:</strong>
- <strong>12 months</strong> of full coverage for only <strong>{price_12}</strong> (one-time payment)
- <strong>24 months</strong> of maximum peace of mind for <strong>{price_24}</strong> (one-time payment) — <em>recommended</em>
We also offer <strong>14-day no-questions-asked returns</strong>. If you're not completely satisfied, you can return it for a full refund.
At Camera Market, most of our items are imported from Europe, so orders can take up to <strong>14 calendar days</strong> to arrive at your address.
However, we offer expedited delivery of <strong>4 to 5 business days</strong> for selected products with immediate availability. All shipments include a <strong>tracking number</strong> so you can track your order in real time.
Comprar the 120 Kodak Tri-X 400 reacondicionado y certificado en Camera Market te ofrece <strong>múltiples ventajas</strong>:
- <strong>Significant savings:</strong> Prices up to 40-60% lower than new, without compromising quality or performance
- <strong>Guaranteed quality:</strong> Each product is inspected, tested and verified by specialized technicians
- <strong>Warranty included:</strong> standard coverage, extendable with the optional extension
- <strong>Sustainable purchase:</strong> You contribute to the circular economy and reduce the environmental impact of electronics
- <strong>Accessible professional equipment:</strong> Get high-end models at more competitive prices
Our refurbished photography equipment maintains the same optical and technical performance as new. Depreciation does not affect image quality or performance, only the price.
