{{Short description|Brand of black-and-white photographic film}} {{more citations needed|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox Photographic film | name = Tri-X | maker = Kodak | image = trixsmall.jpg | caption = A box of a 2002 version of Tri-X film | speed = 400/27° | format = 35 mm, 120 | type = p | process = Gelatin-silver | bw = yes | app = General }} {{Infobox Photographic film | name = Tri-X Professional | maker = Kodak | speed = 320/26° | format = sheets | type = p | process = Gelatin-silver | bw = yes | app = General }} '''Tri-X''' is a black and white photographic film produced by the Eastman Kodak Company. Between 2013 to 2026, it was distributed by Kodak Alaris which controls the ''Kodak Professional'' product line under which it is grouped.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kodak Professional Films|url=http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/professional-photographers/photographers/professional-films|website=Kodak Alaris|access-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> As of January 2026, Tri-X is distributed directly by the Eastman Kodak Company.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Growcoot |first1=Matt |title=Ektar and Tri-X Are Now Being Distributed Directly By Kodak |url=https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/ektar-and-tri-x-are-now-being-distributed-directly-by-kodak/ |website=PetaPixel |publisher=PetaPixel |access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref> The combination of hand-held cameras and high-speed Tri-X film was transformative for photojournalism<ref>{{cite web|title=Life without Tri-X|url=http://www.absolutephoto.com/index.php/interviews/233-life-without-tri-x|website=Absolute Photo|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722231438/http://www.absolutephoto.com/index.php/interviews/233-life-without-tri-x|archive-date=22 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and for cinema.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Adam|last1=Thirlwell|access-date=2018-11-26|title=Adam Thirlwell on the Nouvelle Vague cinema movement|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/apr/18/nouvelle-vague-film-cinema|date=17 April 2009|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

== Overview ==

Introduced around 1940, in sheets rated at ASA daylight 200 and tungsten 160, it was one of Kodak's first high-speed (for the time) black and white films. Tri-X was released in 35 mm and 120 formats in 1954. Currently it is available in two speeds, ISO 320/26° (320TXP) and 400/27° (400TX). Tri-X 400 is the more common of the two, available in 24- and 36-exposure rolls of 35&nbsp;mm and rolls of 120 as well as 50 and 100&nbsp;ft bulk rolls of 35&nbsp;mm. Tri-X 320 is available in 4×5", 5×7", and 8×10" sheets.

Tri-X 400 is usually rated at ISO 400 when processed in standard developers and remains among the fastest black and white films today. Push processing Tri-X to a higher "exposure index" of EI 800 in a standard developer yields very good results, while further pushing to EI 1600 requires more sophisticated processing.<ref name="nytimes-1979">{{cite news|access-date=2018-11-26|title=Camera|date=6 May 1979|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/06/archives/camera-when-even-a-highspeed-film-is-not-fast-enough-camera-when.html|work=The New York Times}}</ref> A popular method for pushing Tri-X film is using highly diluted developers with little or no agitation and extended development times.<ref name="nytimes-1979"/> This method which is referred to as "stand" or "semi-stand" development, can allow the film to be pushed to speeds up to EI 3200<ref name="nytimes-1979"/> or 6400.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

Tri-X panchromatic film was once one of the most popular films used by photojournalists<ref>{{cite web|first1=Roger|last1=Tooth|access-date=2018-11-26|title=Kodak: a fond farewell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/19/fond-farewell-kodak|date=19 January 2012|website=The Guardian}}</ref> and many amateurs. It was manufactured by Eastman Kodak in the U.S., Kodak Canada, and Kodak Ltd in the UK. Kodak data-sheets once recommended different processing times depending on where the film was manufactured. Its sales declined in the 1970s and 1980s due to the falling price and increasing popularity of color film. Since the advent of digital photography, Tri-X has all but fallen out of use in newspaper journalism, though it remains popular in documentary journalism.

Tri-X has undergone a number of minor engineering changes during its long history. An early change in ASA (ISO) speed from 200 to 400, around 1960, was due to a change in the ASA standard rather than the film formulation. In 2007,<ref>[https://125px.com/docs/film/kodak/f4017-400TX-2007.pdf]</ref> Tri-X was extensively re-engineered, receiving the new designation 400TX in place of TX or TX400, and became finer-grained. The amount of silver in the film stock was reduced.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Eamonn|last1=McCabe|access-date=2018-11-26|title=Don't take my Kodak away|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/oct/05/kodak-photography|date=5 October 2011|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2018-11-26|title=Shortcuts|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jan/15/features11.g2|date=15 January 2004|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Tri-X also exists as a reversal film for the 16&nbsp;mm and Super-8 cine film formats. The speed for tungsten lighting (3200 K) is ISO 160 and for daylight ISO 200 when processed as reversal. It can also be processed as a negative at a small loss of speed while the grain will be slightly increased.

<gallery> File:Kodak Tri X Film 1959.jpg|Kodak Tri-X 120 Film (Expired: March 1959) File:0184 Tri-X 6x9 Sheet Film Expired in 1967! (5136414722).jpg|Tri-X 6x9 Sheet Film Expired in 1967 Image:Tri-X.jpg|A Tri-X 35mm (135) film canister, version 2002. File:Kodak Tri-X film.jpg|Tri-X box, circa 1986 </gallery>

== See also == * Kodak T-MAX * Ilford HP5 * List of photographic films * List of discontinued photographic films

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Kodak TRI-X films}} * [https://business.kodakmoments.com/sites/default/files/files/resources/f4017_TriX.pdf Kodak Alaris Tri-X data sheet] * [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4583051 'Photo Op: Devoted to Kodak's Tri-X Film Stock'] – National Public Radio's Alex Chadwick talks with National Geographic Society photographer Chris Rainier about Tri-X * [http://motion.kodak.com/KodakGCG/uploadedFiles/Motion/Products/Camera_Films/7266/Resources/7266_SS.pdf 'Kodak Tri-X Reversal Film 7266 product information brochure PDF'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113121303/http://motion.kodak.com/KodakGCG/uploadedFiles/Motion/Products/Camera_Films/7266/Resources/7266_SS.pdf |date=2017-01-13 }} {{Eastman Kodak}}

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