Kodak T-Max 400
The versatile workhorse — ISO 400 speed with grain so fine it rivals many slower films.
Tonal Palette
Cool, modern grayscale — fine grain with clinical precision
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Eastman Kodak (USA) |
| Film Type | Black & white negative |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Process | Standard B&W (T-Max developer recommended; also D-76, HC-110, XTOL) |
| Grain | Extremely fine for ISO 400 — T-GRAIN tabular grain technology |
| Exposure Latitude | Good (EI 100–1600 with adjusted development) |
| Contrast | Medium |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, bulk |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
T-Max 400 has excellent reciprocity failure characteristics for a 400-speed film, with an exponent of 1.18. While not quite as remarkable as T-Max 100's industry-leading 1.15, it still outperforms most other B&W films — a 10-second metered exposure only needs about 15 seconds of correction, compared to 20+ seconds for Tri-X or HP5.
Push & Pull Processing
T-Max 400 is one of the most versatile B&W films for push processing. It handles 2-stop pushes gracefully, maintaining good shadow detail and controlled grain increase. Many photographers rate it at EI 800 as their standard for available-light work.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 100 | 100 | −2 | Maximum fine grain; extremely smooth tones; tripod recommended |
| EI 200 | 200 | −1 | Finer grain, lower contrast; excellent for controlled conditions |
| EI 400 | 400 | 0 | Box speed — finest grain of any 400-speed B&W film |
| EI 800 | 800 | +1 | Very popular rating; slight grain increase; excellent versatility |
| EI 1600 | 1600 | +2 | Still good quality; moderate grain; great for low light |
| EI 3200 | 3200 | +3 | Noticeable grain, higher contrast; usable for available-light work |
Character & Personality
Grain
Extremely fine for a 400-speed film. T-Max 400 uses the same T-GRAIN tabular grain technology as T-Max 100, where flat, tablet-shaped silver halide crystals dramatically increase light-gathering efficiency relative to grain size. At box speed, T-Max 400 produces grain comparable to many traditional ISO 100 films. Even pushed to EI 800 or 1600, the grain remains tighter and more structured than conventional 400-speed films like Tri-X or HP5 Plus at box speed.
Exposure Latitude
Good, with an effective shooting range of EI 100–1600 with adjusted development. Like T-Max 100, it rewards careful metering — underexposure produces thin shadows more quickly than cubic-grain films. However, its latitude is wider than T-Max 100 due to the higher base sensitivity, and it handles overexposure well.
Tonal Character
Neutral to slightly cool tonal rendering, similar to T-Max 100 but with marginally more visible grain structure at the same print size. Excellent tonal separation in midtones, with smooth gradations from shadow to highlight. The T-GRAIN look is clean and modern — less "gritty" than Tri-X, less "organic" than HP5 Plus. Some photographers describe T-Max 400 as the clinical all-rounder: it doesn't impose a strong aesthetic, letting the subject and lighting define the image.
Best Suited For
- General-purpose photography in variable lighting
- Street photography and photojournalism
- Available-light work (pushed to EI 800–1600)
- Portraiture with fine grain and smooth skin tones
- Any situation requiring 400-speed versatility with minimal grain
- Long exposures where reciprocity performance matters at higher speed
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$12–14 USD |
| 120 (5-pack) | ~$50–60 USD |
| 4x5 (50 sheets) | ~$90–110 USD |
Prices are approximate and vary by retailer. Current as of early 2026.
Development Notes
Kodak T-Max developer is strongly recommended for the finest grain and best tonal range. T-Max 400 also responds well to XTOL (excellent shadow detail), D-76 (classic results), and HC-110 (convenient, long shelf life). Like all T-GRAIN films, T-Max 400 is more sensitive to development variations than cubic-grain films — consistent agitation and accurate temperature control produce the best results.
When pushing to EI 800 or 1600, T-Max developer handles the extended development times well without excessive fog. For stand development, T-Max 400 in Rodinal 1:100 for 60 minutes produces unique results, though the combination is less forgiving than with cubic-grain films. The thin base can be tricky in some spiral reels, so load carefully.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot T-Max 400 with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for T-Max 400 and 22 other film stocks. Load it as your active film and the app will automatically correct your long exposures. With T-Max 400's excellent reciprocity performance, your long exposures need less correction than most other 400-speed B&W films.