If you’re just getting started in film photography, you’re going to end up shooting Kodak Tri X probably sooner rather than later. It’s the first roll of film I put through my Leica M6 when I returned to shooting film in 2016. I had didn’t have much of an idea about photography (still don’t!) but when I look back at some of the images, they’re still some of my favourites.
Having said that other when I first started shooting film again, I haven’t shot a lot of Kodak Tri X and mostly prefer Ilford HP5 or Fujifilm’s Acros 100. Still, there’s nothing quite like Kodak Tri X. Kodak describes it as a fine grain film and most other pages that have descriptions or reviews about Kodak Tri X therefore say the same, but even when not pushing it, the grain is unmistakable and a huge what makes this such an identifiable and likeable film. When you see something shot with Kodak Tri X it takes you back to the day.
I’ve shot Kodak Tri X in all kinds of situations but for me, it’s best for shooting street photography. If I’m shooting landscapes I actually prefer the look of digital or slide film (Velvia 50), but of course as with everything in photography, it’s all a matter of personal opinion. There’s an article on Petapixel titles something like Kodak Tri X – The Best 35mm Black and White Film Ever Made. This is such bullshit. How do you define “best black and white film ever made”. As I said, it’s all about what kind of look you like and to call any film “the best black and white film ever made” is absolute joke and a perfect example of how the Internet is full of know-it-alls who ironically don’t know much.
Rather than go on about it’s qualities, how to develop it and the technical stuff (which I know nothing about), I reckon it’s best to just check out the groups and photos on Flickr and you can then see whether you like the look of Kodak Tri X. This applies to any 35mm film. Don’t read all the rubbish reviews out there about what’s best and what’s not, just check out the photos and see what you like the look of. Here’s a bunch more images I’ve shot on Kodak Tri X, none of fantastic, but which hopefully will give you an idea of what kind of look you get.
Of course, you don’t, or I don’t, shoot film to scan it and look it on a computer (kind of defeats the purpose) so take these with a grain of salt. Just go out and buy yourself 10 packs and see for yourself how you like it. The other major consideration seeing film on computers is the scans, how they were scanned makes a big difference on what they look like. It’s got a large exposure latitude and you can over or under expose by a stop or 2 and still get something that looks alright.
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