Kodak's new Tri-X announcement

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), March 25, 2002

Answers

does this mean 400 pro is improved or iso 320 tri x pan proffessional has been improved?

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), March 25, 2002.

Looks like Tri-X Pan is being replaced by Professional Tri-X 400 and Tri-X Pan Professional is being replaced by Professional Tri-X 320.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), March 25, 2002.

Now we wait to find out what has actually changed in performance to see just what The Yellow Godfather meant by "you will notice a change in processing times." Tri-X was not broke... why the thought that it needed some kind of "fixing" for either more dust resistance or change in processing times?

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), March 26, 2002.

Hi, My understanding that nothing at all is changing in the film emulsion. Kodak is moving manufature of Tri-X to a different plant. The formulae remain identical. Best, Howard

-- Howard Posner (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), March 26, 2002.

The formula is not identical, because Kodak has said that the development times will change. Kodak is changing the name, stock numbers, and packaging of the film. The primary motivation (as stated in the original but later modified press release) seems to be that is cheaper to manufacture in the new plant, thus assuring that the new films will be around for a longer time.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), March 26, 2002.

The "Professional Division" of Kodak insisted to me on the phone that the formulae are the same. They said that there could be some 'slight variation' in development times due to the plant being moved to a different location causing many new variables. They are issuing the alert merely as a precaution but do not anticipate there being any change.

Call Kodak at 800-242-2424 Ext 19

If they are, indeed, lying about this, they'd be quite liable. Best....Howard

-- Howard Posner (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), March 27, 2002.

All that is being changed is the manufacturing facility. Kodak has stated that owing to this change there may be some changes in development time for some users.

-- David Parmet (david@parmet.net), March 27, 2002.

Whether it's the formula, the different manufacturing process used in the new plant, or whatever you want to call it, the film is changing. They aren't changing the packaging, catalog numbers, and film name, and probably the development times just because they are moving.

The odds of getting someone on the phone at Kodak who actually knows what is going on (as opposed to repeating what they were told to tell people who inquire) is infinitesimally small. Corporations don't let technical people talk to customers for two reasons: 1) they might tell the truth (instead of the spin that the corporation wants to promote), and 2) If they spent time talking to customers, they can't get their work done.

Regarding Kodak being held liable for “lying”, if this were true, the marketing staff in most corporations would be in jail. But you can’t really prove in a court of law they were lying just because they put a “spin” on the changes, even if that spin is a bit misleading.

Here is the announcement (although it has been modified to make it more palatable since it originally appeared at this web address). http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/corp/pressReleases/pr20020224- 01.shtml

Of course, none of my comments should be construed to suggest that the film will not be as good as before (we won't know for sure until we try it), only that it will be a bit different, caused by the more economical manufacturing process that Kodak needs to implement to make B&W more commercially viable.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), March 27, 2002.

I cannot find either that site or that press release. Can you check the address? Howard

-- Howard Posner (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), March 28, 2002.

21st Century T-Max, Plus-X, Tri-X Films 'Shoot the Same,' Minimize Problems With Dust ORLANDO, Fla., February 23 -- Kodak Professional today ensured quality black-and-white photography well into the 21st century by announcing that its T-Max, Plus-X and Tri-X films are now being produced in a state-of-the-art facility utilizing modern manufacturing and emulsion processes that maintain the familiar, fundamental characteristics of the films while improving the physical characteristics of the negative.

Kodak's venerable professional black-and-white films are being produced at Kodak's most technically advanced manufacturing facility in Rochester. The modern processes in use also improve the film negative so it is cleaner and much less susceptible to attracting dust. The only difference photographers are likely to encounter is a slight adjustment in development times.

"These next-generation black-and-white films from Kodak shoot the same as before and maintain the high quality our customers have come to expect," said Bob Shanebrook, Worldwide Product Line Manager, Negative Films, Kodak Professional. "Photographers might see minor differences in development times, but they'll enjoy the same exceptional results in their prints in 2002 and for years to come. This investment is solid proof of Kodak's long-term commitment to quality black-and-white photography."

Kodak Professional T-Max, Plus-X and Tri-X films from the new facility are clearly identified through new packaging, a new catalog number and new notch sheet codes. This new packaging adopts the naming conventions of Kodak Professional color negative and the latest reversal films, listing the film's speed followed by a description (e.g., 125 PX film).

T-Max and Plus-X films will be shipped to dealers in April, while Tri- X film will be shipped in October. All three films will be available from dealers on a stock-turnover basis. The original T-Max, Plus-X and Tri-X films will stop shipping to dealers in March.

The new films will be priced similar to the black-and-white films they replace. Introduction of the films coincides with Kodak's worldwide film-price adjustments that occurred January 1 in the U.S. and February 1 in Europe.

Kodak Professional T-Max, Plus-X and Tri-X black-and-white films are available from authorized dealers of Kodak Professional products, and directly from Kodak Professional via the Kodak web site.

For information about Kodak Professional and its photographic films, customers may call: 1-800-235-6325, or visit our web site at: www.kodak.com/go/professional.

Kodak, Kodak Professional, T-Max, Plus-X and Tri-X are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company. 2002

-- Howard Posner (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), March 28, 2002.

The extra (unwanted) "space" in the web reference was courtesy of the software for this forum when using the "your response" box.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), March 28, 2002.

I have used TriX film for the last 15 years as my primary stock. And I did notice a change in grain structure and contrast a couple years ago, especially when push processing.

-- sergio bartelsman (sergio@bartelsman.com), March 30, 2002.