Ektar and Tri-X Are Now Being Distributed Directly By Kodak

Jan 21, 2026

Matt Growcoot

Two Kodak film boxes: one yellow and green labeled "Kodak TRI-X 400" for black & white film, and one yellow and red labeled "Kodak Ektar 100" for color negative film. Both are marked "professional.

Kodak continues to assume control of its film distribution, which it calls “direct-from-Kodak” films, after starting last year with Kodacolor. Two classics now join the line and new distribution arrangement: Kodak Tri-X Black & White Negative Film and Kodak Ektar Color Negative Film, both available in 135 and 120 format rolls.

Back in November, PetaPixel highlighted Eastman Kodak’s dramatic shift in how it sells film. The Rochester company infamously filed for bankruptcy in 2012, and as part of that process, Kodak underwent significant restructuring, including selling various assets and companies, spinning off even more, and fundamentally changing the way it operated.

While Kodak continued to manufacture film, both for motion picture and still photography, its photographic film had been distributed through a British spinoff company, Kodak Alaris, founded in 2013.

In an Instagram post, Kodak says that while the professional films have “always been manufactured by Kodak,” they are now “proudly distributed by Kodak.” The new films sit in a lineup with Kodacolor 100 and 200, Kodak Gold, and Kodak Ultramax. The films feature fresh, retro-inspired packaging, and are typically found for sale at a slightly lower price than before.

“Look for these iconic films in new packaging at your favorite online and in-store photo retailers in the U.S. and Canada,” adds Kodak.

For those who are unfamiliar with Ektar and Tri-X, the Kodak film website describes Ektar 100 as a “low-speed, daylight-balanced color negative film with a nominal sensitivity of ISO 100.” Kodak says that it is the “finest grain color negative film available today,” featuring “ultra vivid color, exceptional sharpness, and enhanced color saturation.”

Red rock formations rise sharply from the desert landscape under a clear blue sky, with green shrubs and trees in the foreground. The rocks display layers of red and white, characteristic of a southwestern US desert scene. — Kodak Ektar sample.

Clusters of vibrant pink flowers with green stems and leaves fill the image, creating a dense, colorful display in a natural outdoor setting. — “Its color, sharpness, and edge definition make it an ideal choice for nature, travel, outdoor, fashion, product, and commercial photography,” adds Kodak.

Rolling green hills covered in patches of vibrant yellow wildflowers under a clear sky, with a winding dirt path cutting through the landscape and distant mountains in the background. — Ektar 100 comes in 35mm and medium format.

Meanwhile, the Tri-X 400 is a “high-speed panchromatic black and white negative film, providing versatility and distinctive aesthetics.” The company says it is “designed for a broad range of shooting conditions, Tri-X 400 delivers classic grain structure with exceptional edge sharpness and high resolving power for crisp detail.”

Black and white photo of a tall building facade with multiple small windows; a sharp diagonal shadow splits the sunlight, creating contrast across the wall. The photo is framed by adjacent structures. — Tri-X sample

A black and white photo of a tall, modern brick building shot from below, emphasizing sharp angles and geometric patterns, with sunlight casting contrasting shadows on the facade. — The film can be used in “push processing applications.”

Close-up of ocean waves with white sea foam gently washing onto smooth, wet sand on the shore; the scene is captured in black and white, highlighting textures and contrasts.

A yellow and black box of Kodak TRI-X 400 professional black and white negative film for 120 rolls, featuring bold white text and green accents.

A yellow and red box labeled “KODAK EKTAR 100” color negative film for 35mm cameras, with “100” in bold white text and “Professional” written at the bottom.

“This film’s wide exposure latitude maintains consistent tonality even in challenging lighting, making it a go-to choice for low-light environments, fast shutter speeds, and shots requiring greater depth of field including street scenes, portraits, and documentary work,” adds Kodak.

Kodak Alaris had, for more than a decade, sold, marketed, and distributed Kodak-branded still film, including legendary Kodak film stocks like Portra, Ektar, Ektachrome, Tri-X, and more. Kodak Alaris has even launched new and revised film stocks, like a reformulated Ektachrome 100 in 2018.

However, when Eastman Kodak, the original Kodak, unveiled Kodacolor 100 and 200 in late September, it signaled a shift in its film strategy. It’s a path that the company seemingly intends to continue on.

Additional reporting by Jeremy Gray

Image credits: Kodak