Kodak TMAX 400 35mm Black and White Film

Kodak TMAX 400 is a professional panchromatic black and white film and one of the finest-grained ISO 400 emulsions ever made. Built around Kodak's T-GRAIN technology, it delivers exceptional sharpness and edge detail with a grain structure that punches well below its speed class.

At ISO 400 it's fast enough for indoor and low-light shooting, versatile enough for everyday use, and technically capable enough for the most demanding scanning and darkroom applications.

Price is per roll.

Why photographers love TMAX 400

TMAX 400 is the technical benchmark for ISO 400 black and white film. The T-GRAIN emulsion produces grain that is finer and more uniform than conventional silver halide films at the same speed — when you scan TMAX 400, the results are remarkably clean and sharp for a 400-speed stock.

The tonal range is broad and smooth, with good separation in both highlights and shadows. It's a film that rewards careful exposure and good scanning technique — give it both and the results are exceptional.

It pushes cleanly too. Rated at 800 it adds a touch more contrast while keeping grain controlled. At 1600 the grain becomes more visible and the look more dramatic, but it holds together well compared to many competitors. This makes it a genuine choice for low light and indoor work without needing to switch films.

It pairs well with any 35mm camera where you're after precision and quality — Leica M series, Nikon F3, Canon F-1, Contax RTS — anything where the lens and body deserve a film that can keep up.

A bit of film history

Kodak introduced the TMAX line in 1986 with the revolutionary T-GRAIN emulsion technology, which arranged silver halide crystals in flat, tabular shapes rather than the irregular forms of conventional emulsions. This gave TMAX films their characteristic combination of fine grain and high speed that was previously unachievable. TMAX 400 quickly became the professional standard for black and white photography and remains so nearly four decades later.

Processing

TMAX 400 is developed in standard black and white chemistry. We process black and white film in-house at Ikigai Film Lab in Melbourne, with scanning available on our Fujifilm Frontier and Noritsu HS-1800 scanners.

Common questions

How does TMAX 400 compare to Ilford HP5?

Both are ISO 400 black and white films but they have a distinctly different character. TMAX 400 has finer grain, higher sharpness, and a smoother tonal curve — it's the more technical, refined option and rewards precise exposure. HP5 has a more classic, organic grain structure with a wider exposure latitude and a more forgiving, flexible feel. Many photographers keep both — TMAX for controlled shooting where quality is paramount, HP5 for run-and-gun situations where flexibility matters more.

How does TMAX 400 compare to Kodak Tri-X?

Very different looks. Tri-X has a classic, gritty grain structure and high contrast that defined the look of mid-20th century photojournalism. TMAX 400 is a modern emulsion with finer grain, smoother tones, and better scanning characteristics. If you want that iconic street photography grain, shoot Tri-X. If you want the cleanest, sharpest results a 400-speed film can deliver, shoot TMAX.

Can I push TMAX 400?

Yes — TMAX 400 is well-suited to push processing. It rates cleanly at 800, and pushing to 1600 is a popular choice for low-light shooting. We offer push processing as an add-on when you send your film in.