Kodak T-Max 100
The technical masterpiece — razor-sharp grain, clinical precision, and unmatched long-exposure performance.
Tonal Palette
Cool, clinical grayscale — razor sharpness
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Eastman Kodak (USA) |
| Film Type | Black & white negative |
| ISO Speed | 100 |
| Process | Standard B&W (T-Max developer recommended; also D-76, HC-110, XTOL) |
| Grain | Extremely fine — T-GRAIN tabular grain with 200+ lines/mm resolution |
| Exposure Latitude | Good (EI 25–200 without changed development) |
| Contrast | Medium |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, bulk |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
T-Max 100 has the best reciprocity failure characteristics of any black and white film, with an exponent of just 1.15. This makes it the ideal B&W choice for long-exposure photography — a 10-second metered exposure only needs about 14 seconds of correction, compared to 20+ seconds for most other B&W films.
Push & Pull Processing
T-Max 100 can be pushed up to 3 stops with increased grain and contrast, though it is most commonly shot at or near box speed to take full advantage of its extraordinary resolution. Pulling yields even finer grain and smoother tones for maximum quality.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 25 | 25 | −2 | Maximum fine grain; extremely smooth tones; tripod essential |
| EI 50 | 50 | −1 | Finer grain, lower contrast; superb for landscapes |
| EI 100 | 100 | 0 | Box speed — the sharpest results with finest grain |
| EI 200 | 200 | +1 | Slight grain increase; still very fine; good versatility |
| EI 400 | 400 | +2 | Noticeable grain; higher contrast; loses some of the T-Max finesse |
| EI 800 | 800 | +3 | Visible grain, high contrast; emergency use only |
Character & Personality
Grain
Extremely fine grain with exceptional sharpness. T-Max 100 uses Kodak's tabular grain (T-GRAIN) technology, which fundamentally changed the shape of silver halide crystals from cubic to flat, tablet-shaped. This dramatically increases the surface area of each grain, resulting in extremely fine, tight grain with very high resolution. The grain pattern is more uniform and structured than traditional cubic-grain films, and resolving power exceeds 200 lines/mm — among the highest of any B&W film.
Exposure Latitude
Good but not as wide as cubic-grain films. T-Max 100 has an effective shooting range of EI 25–200 without changing development. Compared to FP4 Plus, T-Max 100 is somewhat less forgiving of exposure errors, especially underexposure. The film rewards careful metering with outstanding results.
Tonal Character
Neutral to slightly cool tonal rendering. Very smooth tonal gradations with excellent separation between similar tones. High sharpness and resolving power give images a clean, technical quality. Some photographers describe the rendering as "clinical" or "modern" compared to the warmer, more organic look of traditional cubic-grain films like Tri-X or HP5 Plus.
Best Suited For
- Landscape and nature photography
- Architecture and urban photography
- Studio work requiring maximum detail
- Long exposure photography (best reciprocity of any B&W film)
- Fine art printing and exhibition work
- Any application demanding the finest possible grain from B&W film
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$12–14 USD |
| 120 (5-pack) | ~$45–55 USD |
| 4x5 (50 sheets) | ~$85–100 USD |
Prices are approximate and vary by retailer. Current as of early 2026.
Development Notes
Kodak T-Max developer is strongly recommended — the film was designed for it, and T-Max developer produces the finest grain and best tonal range. T-Max 100 can also be developed in D-76, HC-110, or XTOL, but results may not be as refined.
T-Max 100 is more sensitive to development time and temperature variations than cubic-grain films. Agitation pattern matters more with T-Max films — inconsistent agitation can cause uneven development. The thin film base can be tricky in some processing tanks, so ensure the film is loaded properly. Some photographers find the negatives harder to print in the darkroom due to the different grain structure, though scanning produces excellent results.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot T-Max 100 with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for T-Max 100 and 21 other film stocks. Load it as your active film and the app will automatically correct your long exposures. With T-Max 100's industry-leading reciprocity performance, your long exposures will need less correction than any other B&W film.