Kodak Black & White 400 Speed 24 Exposure 35mm Film (3 Pack)

by Kodak

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005LB15
• Item model number: BWC135-24-3H
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 20, 2001

Product Description

This amazing film allows you to experience the power of black & white photography with the convenience of color. It is processed using standard C-41 color processing and prints on color paper. This allows you to have the film processed at your usual photo processing lab.

Because Kodak Black & White + is a 400 speed film, it is ideal for all-around use and can be used under lighting conditions from bright sunlight to dim existing light. Kodak incorporates it's T-GRAIN technology which delivers extremely fine grain for outstanding enlargements and fine detail.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B&W With the Convenience of 1 Hour Processing!, September 4, 2003

By 

P. Connors "Colonialpara" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kodak Black & White 400 Speed 24 Exposure 35mm Film (3 Pack) (Electronics)

Kodak's Black & White + is what is known as a chromogenic black and white film. What this means, when compared to traditional (panchromatic) B&W films is that it can be developed in C-41 (color processing). Given that traditional black and white processing has grown quite expensive and that many photo labs no longer possess the capability to process regular B&W, this film provides exceptional convenience.

I think the other reviewers of this film here have probably lacked experience with this film and its competitors from ILFORD of the UK and Konica of Japan. Yes, there are color shift issues with this film. Much of that depends on the quality of the C-41 processing and the willingness of the technician to spend time with some exposure compensation.

Most color shifts with this film result from the use of color paper. If photos taken with this film are developed using regular B&W paper, then the user will receive true black and white prints. Using color paper often times will result in a slight color shift toward sepia or blue/gray. However, I find the shift toward sepia pleasing to the eye because it lends the picture the air of an old time B&W print that has faded with age. Sepia provides a classical look to monochromatic prints.

Because this film and its competitors use dyes rather than silver halide crystals, it is capable of being developed by normal 1-hour labs using C-41 processing. This is incredibly convenient and much less expensive than using traditional black and white film and then having to wait for its return if your lab lacks the facilities to do traditional black and white printing.

This is a very fine grained film for its speed. It is also a medium to medium-high contrast film. It delivers very sharp imagery and has served as a very nice platform to re-introduce casual photographers to the elegance and drama of black and white photography.

Yes, traditional black and white is still alive and well. But for less cost and a lot more timeliness, this film offers very sharp imagery to folks who would not normally consider black and white film.

Kodak markets Black and White+ as a consumer grade film. The Professional emulsion of this film is called T400CN and offers the same convenience and cost benefits. Kodak also offers a chromogenic B&W in professional grade among its PORTRA family of films. That film is known as PORTRA 400 and is often used for wedding and portrait work when people choose black and white prints.

Don't underestimate this film. It offers a lot of advantages and the flexibility to shift tonal variations based on the use of color OR black and white paper.

For those considering this film, be aware that all chromogenic films, such as the ones discussed here, as well as the ILFORD and KONICA offerings are ONLY SOLD AS ISO 400 speed films. Despite that medium/fast speed, all are very fine grained films and will provide incredibly sharp images.

I recommend this film and its professional family members.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars print on matte black and white paper, April 4, 2002

By 

Conor (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kodak Black & White 400 Speed 24 Exposure 35mm Film (3 Pack) (Electronics)

I find this film gives excellent results though, when printed on colour paper, it often gets a slight magenta or cyan tint. For REALLY good results, ask your lab to print on matte black and white paper. ;o)
C

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Film, December 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kodak Black & White 400 Speed 24 Exposure 35mm Film (3 Pack) (Electronics)

This is not true black and white film, it is color film with no color... but the results can still be quite nice if you ask the photo lab to print it on true black and white paper. You can have your prints back the back next day or even in 1 hour, depending on the lab. This is much nicer than the hassle of having true black and white sent away while you wait for a week.