The Kodak Tri-X 400 Look on Fujifilm
Kodak Tri-X 400 is the defining black and white film. It shaped decades of photojournalism, street photography, and documentary work. Its look is distinctive: high contrast, visible grain, deep blacks, and a gritty energy that makes every frame feel urgent and real. While Fujifilm's ACROS is based on their own Neopan line (smoother, more refined), with the right settings you can push it toward the grittier, punchier Tri-X aesthetic.
What Makes Kodak Tri-X 400 Distinctive
- High contrast with deep, inky blacks
- Visible, characterful grain
- Punchy midtones with strong tonal separation
- Less smooth than ACROS (grittier, more textured)
- Excellent shadow detail despite dark blacks
- Iconic photojournalistic aesthetic
Recipe Settings Guide
Start with ACROS as your base simulation, then apply these adjustments:
Simulation
ACROS + Red filter. The Red filter adds contrast and darkens skies, pushing closer to Tri-X character
White Balance
Any (monochrome). WB doesn't affect B&W output, but slight warm shift can influence mid-grey rendering
Tone Curve
Highlight Tone +2, Shadow Tone +2. Pushes contrast significantly toward Tri-X's punchy look
Colour
N/A (monochrome)
Grain
Grain Effect Strong/Large. Tri-X has more visible, coarser grain than ACROS
Extras
Sharpness +2 for more aggressive edge detail; DR100 for maximum contrast
Tips for Authenticity
- Tri-X thrives in harsh light. Midday sun, hard shadows, and high contrast scenes suit it perfectly
- Don't be afraid of deep blacks. Tri-X was contrasty film. Let shadows go dark.
- Push processing (underexpose by -1/3 to -2/3) to increase contrast and grain for an even grittier look
- If ACROS + Red feels too smooth, try the standard Monochrome simulation which has coarser grain
Browse ACROS Recipes
Find community-shared recipes using ACROS as a starting point: