Tri X "On it's way out" - B&W Magazine Xmas 08 and Silverprint

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Lilserenity

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A disturbing news piece in this month's Black & White Photography Magazine (Christmas 2008) says that Silverprint believe that Tri X may be "on it's way out" and that they're stocking up...

Is this substantiated anywhere?

I like HP5+ a lot but love Tri X and find this news a little disturbing!

Anybody else heard anything, I really hope Tri X is safe, it's one of my all time favourites even against the cleaner Delta and TMax films. Some of us appreciate grain!
 
It seems rather strange. I think it outsells a lot of other films by Kodak and other manufacturers. And Silverprint doesn't have a clue - by the blurb on their site it seems Plus-X is still sold in 8x10" sheets...
 
Lilserenity said:
A disturbing news piece in this month's Black & White Photography Magazine (Christmas 2008) says that Silverprint believe that Tri X may be "on it's way out" and that they're stocking up...

Is this substantiated anywhere?

I like HP5+ a lot but love Tri X and find this news a little disturbing!

Anybody else heard anything, I really hope Tri X is safe, it's one of my all time favourites even against the cleaner Delta and TMax films. Some of us appreciate grain!
Click to expand...

Don't anybody tell Keith. He just decided to like Tri-X. 😱
 
That AP article is encouraging.

Also the shot of the Tri X box shows the newer Kodak logo, whereas all the ones I have obtained (as recent as this week) have the older one. I don't think Kodak would update the box and then discontinue the product.

This is why I was surprised as it is such a popular b+w film.

The article (short, about 1 and 1/4 column inches) makes reference to roll, and no mention of sheet sizes for what it's worth.
 
Lilserenity said:
The article (short, about 1 and 1/4 column inches) makes reference to roll, and no mention of sheet sizes for what it's worth.
Click to expand...

Well, there is a mention:

"Kodak says sales of sheet film are particularly healthy – fine art applications being the biggest draw. "

EDIT: Or did you mean in the B&W article?
 
Interesting analogue to the A.P. article:


NY Times, May 26, 1985

TLDR:

"REMEMBER these - Panatomic-X, Plus-X, Verichrome Pan, Super-XX Pan and Royal-X Pan? They're black-and-white films and, believe it or not, still available and being sold along with a lot of others. Indeed, according to industry statistics, photographers are not only interested in black-and-white film but the demand for it is steady.

Black-and-white is alive and well despite the fact that technology is making color film easier, faster and cheaper to use."
 
steverett said:
REMEMBER these - Panatomic-X, Plus-X, Verichrome Pan, Super-XX Pan and Royal-X Pan? They're black-and-white films and, believe it or not, still available...
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What, Panatomic-X, Verichrome-X and Super-XX are still available 😕 . In which century was the article written?
 
Yeah, and movie emulions like XT Pan, and 4X Pan are gone, as is Royal-X Pan and 2475Recording. Tri-X sheet film and the "pro" versions of 120/220 were not the same as regular Tri-X. For one thing they were ISO 320, not 400, and had a "retouching tooth" on the back.

So far it doesn't look like we'll soon be losing Eastman Double-X 5222 or the Plus-X variety of their motion picture stock.

I do plan on buying a few 400 ft. rolls of Double-X 5222 though, to get me through the next couple of years. I eat out all the time anyway. I can live without the freezer space.
 
Lilserenity said:
A disturbing news piece in this month's Black & White Photography Magazine (Christmas 2008) says that Silverprint believe that Tri X may be "on it's way out" and that they're stocking up
Click to expand...

This came up last week on the Leica list. Here's a direct quote from somebody who talked to a Kodak rep at Photokina, "I asked Kodak about Tri-X at Photokina. They pointed out that they only built a new factory for TX production a few years ago and that it's selling well. I fact the guy I spoke to said, even if Kodak cut right back on film, he'd put money on TX being the last film they make."

You can read the full thread here:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/70945-goodbye-tri-x-hello-life-magazine.html

Jim B.
 
Well, not sure how well it selling elsewhere, but I just bought 60 rolls of 120 - 400TX in the past 2 weeks...

While I am sure HP5+ is good, with Tri-X in 120 you have your film needs covered from 400 to 25,600 as long as you can get Rodinal. Speaking of which, I need to go pick-up my 6 - 500mL bottles at the shop.

And if you like classic emulsions, 320TXP is simply divine, only wish you could get it in 135mm.
 
From a senior Kodak exec with responsibility over film:

" [FONT=&quot]Arrrgghhh.....Tri-X is NOT being discontinued. No way, no how. Period. Sometimes I wonder if the competition stirs up these rumors...."

Let's move on....
[/FONT]
 
Some years ago I talked to someone at Kodak/Rochester. He said that "Tri X accounts for more than 50% of all 35 mm black/white film sold!". It is also a film that needs virtually no marketing program and associated cost as everyone who uses it, know what they want to buy - and usually cant be swayed from it anyway. ANY manufacturer would love to have a product like that - 55 years later it is still going strong.
What I find a bit strange is that the Arista Premium 400 does look and behave like Tri X - sells at a heavy discount compared to "regular" Tri X.
 
Tom,

According a local friend who uses Tri-X in all formats from 16mm to 8x10, there are several different emulsions on the market.

According to his experience...

Tri-X in 135, 24 and 36exp rolls is not the same as...
Tri-X 135 in 100ft rolls is the 'emulsion' like the 16mm cine emulsion and simliar to 120 400TX and...
Tri-X 320 ie 320TXP is another emulsion which is more like sheet film emulsion.

He uses all current film stocks...

In my own experience, I find Tri-X 135 is different to Tri-X 120 which is different to Tri-X 320...

Tri-X 320(320TXP) is made for pulling while you can push Tri-X(400TX) to the bleeding edge.

Tri-X and D76 must the most dependable and user-friendly film/developer combination ever invented. It is what I recommend to all friends the want to start developing their own B&W. If you get the exposure half-way right, it will deliver a good negative.
 
Tom A said:
... What I find a bit strange is that the Arista Premium 400 does look and behave like Tri X - sells at a heavy discount compared to "regular" Tri X.
Click to expand...
In my personal testing, I found that Arista Premium 400 looked and behaved almost like "regular Tri X".
 
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