Kodak 400TX - Film Review

The Kodak 400TX Single Use Camera is a standout option for anyone wanting classic black and white film in a disposable format. Loaded with Kodak’s iconic Tri-X 400 – arguably the most famous B&W film ever made which offers bold, punchy tones, high contrast, and excellent latitude. As with all disposables, the exposure is fixed for bright sunlight, so for anything less than direct sun, we highly recommend using the flash. Black and white film can be unforgiving when underexposed, and Tri-X shines brightest when it gets enough light. Just hold the flash charge button until the red indicator light glows; if the light isn’t on, the flash isn’t ready.

In our experience, this Tri-X version is one of the best B&W disposable cameras on the market. Thanks to Tri-X’s naturally contrasty look, it delivers crisp, dramatic black and white images right out of the camera. Compared to Ilford’s HP5 single use camera which leans more toward low contrast – Kodak’s Tri-X has a built-in punch that many photographers prefer. If you like strong tones and a timeless documentary feel, this is the disposable to choose.

Tip: Like all disposable cameras, this Tri-X model has a fixed focus. Its focus range typically spans from about 4 feet to infinity, with the sharpest performance between 4-10 feet. For the best clarity – and to ensure your flash reaches your subject – keep anything you’re photographing within that distance range.

The Tri-X 400 disposable includes 27 exposures and is available at FilmPhotographyStore.com for reliability and consistent stocking.

Why We Recommend It:
Here at The Darkroom, we develop, scan, and print a huge amount of disposable camera film – and we recycle every camera that comes through our lab. As a traditional dip and dunk lab, we develop black and white film (including Tri-X from this single-use camera) using true dip and dunk processing for the highest quality and consistency. Even though disposable cameras aren’t known for premium image quality, they absolutely have their place: they’re perfect for parties, great for kids learning film, ideal when you want to shoot without overthinking, and incredibly useful in situations where your main camera might get damaged – backpacking, climbing, travel, beach days, and more. And when it comes to B&W disposables, this Tri-X version is our favorite and in our opinion, the best – thanks to its built-in contrast and classic B&W look!