Chris101
summicronia
I read this thread with extreme interest. The question presented is: does Freestyle offer rebranded tri-x at half the cost of real tri-x from from Kodak?
Here are two contact scans representing a roll of each, co-developed in the same tank:
To my eye, the Arista has slightly more contrast, but that could well be the subject matter. I'm betting that it is trix. I bought half a dozen rolls, so my comparison will continue.
Here are two contact scans representing a roll of each, co-developed in the same tank:


To my eye, the Arista has slightly more contrast, but that could well be the subject matter. I'm betting that it is trix. I bought half a dozen rolls, so my comparison will continue.
usagisakana
Established
I've got 60 rolls on the way to have a go with.. to be honest I don't really mind if it is or isn't at that price, but having seen the scans people have posted, it's close enough to be fine for what I intend to use it for.
oscroft
Veteran
Ooh, that hand looks sore!
Chris101
summicronia
It is!Ooh, that hand looks sore!
I do 80% of my shooting and printing is with trix film. Therefore I'd like to know if I can rely on Arista Premium to behave just like trix. So far it looks like it does, but I will test out some extreme conditions in my next two rolls.
totifoto
Well-known
I´ve never shot the Arista on 35mm but I shoot it alot on my Hasselbald. It has a bit more contrast, in the darkroom you be more awere of the contrast diffrent. The Tri-x is sharper though.
2 samples, both mixed in x-tol
This one was on Tri-x
And this one is Arista 400
2 samples, both mixed in x-tol
This one was on Tri-x

And this one is Arista 400

luketrash
Trying to find my range
You have to be careful what you mean when you say "Arista 400"
I haven't been film shopping in a while, so the last time I checked, Arista II 400 was Agfa film, and Arista EDU Ultra 400 was Fomapan.
If they now have Arista Premium and it is indeed Kodak? Well, consider me a very happy camper.
I haven't been film shopping in a while, so the last time I checked, Arista II 400 was Agfa film, and Arista EDU Ultra 400 was Fomapan.
If they now have Arista Premium and it is indeed Kodak? Well, consider me a very happy camper.
luketrash
Trying to find my range
Oh, and Thanks! I have been out of the film buying market for about 6 months and TOTALLY missed the news about this stuff!
I bought grey market Tri-X for 29.99/100ft back in 2006 all year long from B&H and Adorama. It's good to see it back!!
Currently I have 700 feet of 35mm Tri-X in my fridge as well as about 90 rolls of 120 film I bought on ebay this spring. I may still stock up on this stuff though. This is excellent news for tight wads like myself.
I bought grey market Tri-X for 29.99/100ft back in 2006 all year long from B&H and Adorama. It's good to see it back!!
Currently I have 700 feet of 35mm Tri-X in my fridge as well as about 90 rolls of 120 film I bought on ebay this spring. I may still stock up on this stuff though. This is excellent news for tight wads like myself.
JRG
Well-known
"I´ve never shot the Arista on 35mm but I shoot it alot on my Hasselbald. It has a bit more contrast, in the darkroom you be more awere of the contrast diffrent. The Tri-x is sharper though"
Careful. The film under discussion is Arista Premium, and it is available only in 35mm, and a recent introduction. You're shooting something else on your Hasselblad.
Careful. The film under discussion is Arista Premium, and it is available only in 35mm, and a recent introduction. You're shooting something else on your Hasselblad.
totifoto
Well-known
you guys are right, did not know that there where so many Aristas out there, I have been shooting the EDU II. Just checked out the freestyle page and this Premium looks good, gonna try some.
bhop73
Well-known
I was in the store(freestyle) Saturday. I asked some of the workers about the new Arista Premium.. they wouldn't tell me flat out, I suppose they legally can't, but they would tell me that it's made by a U.S. manufacturer (there's only one left yes?), and that you should process it the same as Tri-X.. so take what you will from that.
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charjohncarter
Veteran
Too bad they don't have it in 120. Maybe they will soon. They must have some clout at Freestyle because the edge printing says 'Arista.'
charjohncarter
Veteran
Oh Chris (101), be sure to let us know about the more difficult testing you intend to put it though. I hope you will not let this seriousness tear you away from the gunge genre. I will miss you if it does.
Chris101
summicronia
The more I stress it Carter, the grungier it will become. I'm thinking I need a new label though. Grunge sounds too much like 90's rock and roll from the Pacific Northwest.Oh Chris (101), be sure to let us know about the more difficult testing you intend to put it though. I hope you will not let this seriousness tear you away from the gunge genre. I will miss you if it does.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Well, give us something else, please.
NickTrop
Veteran
I bought 15 rolls of the Arista and had some Tri-X on hand. In a blind taste test I was unable to tell the difference between Arista and Tri-X.
mrb7
Air Head Extrordinaire
I wrote to them and asked about 120 and sheets.
I said: << I just received your new catalog and I see on page 17 there is a new "Made in the USA" Arista premium 100 and 400 in 135 size. Do you plan to release this in 120 or any sheet film, too? Or will the market response
determine that.>>
They said: <Hi Michael
Thanks for your e-mail. You pretty much answered your own question with
your market response comment. If the response is good to the 35mm, then
we can (and will) ask the manufacturer for more sizes, including 120 and
sheet films.>
So, if we buy the 35mm stuff, they'll expand.
MB
I said: << I just received your new catalog and I see on page 17 there is a new "Made in the USA" Arista premium 100 and 400 in 135 size. Do you plan to release this in 120 or any sheet film, too? Or will the market response
determine that.>>
They said: <Hi Michael
Thanks for your e-mail. You pretty much answered your own question with
your market response comment. If the response is good to the 35mm, then
we can (and will) ask the manufacturer for more sizes, including 120 and
sheet films.>
So, if we buy the 35mm stuff, they'll expand.
MB
pesphoto
Veteran
I wonder if Koda....er freestyle watches these threads?
JRG
Well-known
"I wonder if Koda....er freestyle watches these threads?"
Possibly. But if Kodak is like any other big organization that I've experienced, then it's likely that the left hand is unaware of what the right hand has been doing, and the right hand is unaware that there is a left hand.
Possibly. But if Kodak is like any other big organization that I've experienced, then it's likely that the left hand is unaware of what the right hand has been doing, and the right hand is unaware that there is a left hand.
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
Hilarious AND true. Nice one."I wonder if Koda....er freestyle watches these threads?"
Possibly. But if Kodak is like any other big organization that I've experienced, then it's likely that the left hand is unaware of what the right hand has been doing, and the right hand is unaware that there is a left hand.
Matt(1pt4)
Established
I´ve never shot the Arista on 35mm but I shoot it alot on my Hasselbald. It has a bit more contrast, in the darkroom you be more awere of the contrast diffrent. The Tri-x is sharper though.
2 samples, both mixed in x-tol
This one was on Tri-x
![]()
And this one is Arista 400
![]()
Beautiful shots.
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