Kodak T-Max 400

Kodak T-Max 400 is Kodak's fine-grain T-grain B&W film at ISO 400 — the modern alternative to Tri-X with finer grain at the same speed. T-Max 400 was introduced in 1986 (reformulated 2007 as "T-Max 400 New") and remains Kodak's flagship medium-fast B&W film alongside Tri-X.

Key features

• ISO 400 rated; fine T-grain (RMS 10 — visibly finer than Tri-X's cubic grain at the same speed)
• Cool-neutral palette — Tri-X is warm, T-Max 400 is neutral
• Better reciprocity than Tri-X (p ≈ 1.1 vs Tri-X's ~1.3)
• Excellent push tolerance — clean to EI 800-1600
• Available in 35mm, 120, 4×5, 8×10 sheet
• Compatible with most developers — XTOL (Kodak-recommended), D-76, HC-110, Microphen, T-Max RS

Workflow

• Box-speed development: XTOL stock at 7:30, D-76 1:1 at 11 min, HC-110 Dil B at 6 min
• Push to EI 800: D-76 stock at 10 min, or T-Max RS at the published push time
• Push to EI 1600: extended development; Microphen is the cleanest result
• Pull to EI 200 in dilute developer

Practical notes

• T-Max 400 vs Tri-X: same use cases, different aesthetic. T-Max 400 = finer grain + neutral tone; Tri-X = coarser grain + warm tone + structural grain character. Many photographers stock both.
• Available in 4×5 + 8×10 sheet — alongside Tri-X, the only current Kodak fast B&W films in sheet
• Cold storage extends shelf life
• Push aesthetic differs from Tri-X — T-Max 400 at EI 1600 looks "modern grainy"; Tri-X at EI 1600 looks "documentary classic"

Related films

• Kodak Tri-X 400 — Kodak cubic-grain alternative at same speed
• Kodak T-Max 100 — Kodak T-grain sibling at slower speed
• Kodak T-Max P3200 — Kodak T-grain sibling at high speed
• Ilford Delta 400 — Ilford T-grain alternative
• Ilford HP5 Plus 400 — Ilford cubic-grain alternative