"Custom Developers" at our photo lab

This may not be the best place to ask this question, but here it

goes:

I work at a photo lab, where we do B&W processing and printing (both

by hand and on our Frontier). I process my B&W film there myself,

and I use different developers all the time. So, today a customer

asks me about my personal B&W prints, and I say someting like "Acros

in X-tol 1:3" and he freaks out. Apparently he would like us to

offer a choice (for a higher price of course!) of developers used

for our more knowledgeable customers. But can I really run a guys

film in X-TOL when he is used to TMAX or Dektol? Also, I use a lot

of X-Tol myself and I know what I am getting. Would any of you even

notice? I am just curious, as I would like to give my guys what

they want, and if assuming they don't do it at home, would X-TOL,

Dektol, Perceptol, Accufine or anything else even be appealing?

Hope you may have some input.

-Dave

My lab offers hand processing with D-76, HC-110, T-Max, or Xtol. I believe that they charge the same no matter what developer you choose. 99% of the time I have the lab use their best judgement on the processing and any prints that I have made. If I know specifically what I want, then I tell them. If I have a rough idea of what I want, I tell the lab what I am looking for, and let them run my film however they can best get me what I described.

Brady

Seems like a straightforward business decision to me. Many labs here in New York offer custom services and would give you the developer of your choice if you're willing to pay for it. dr5 in L.A., formerly in New York, formerly in L.A. used to offer negative development by inspection as a standard service, and would offer choice of developers for an extra fee. If customers want it and are willing to pay, why not?

If you offer development in PMK and advertise the service, I'd bet you'll even find new customers, since it's the kind of thing that lots of people have heard of, but not everyone wants to mess with, even if they do their own processing.

I used to work at a custom B/W lab years ago that offered this service. I very

much enjoyed this aspect because it gave me a huge data base that is, to this

day, very useful. Without debate, you HAVE to have all the times worked out

in advance and not just going on the manufacturers recommendations! The

classics... D76 1:1 was run in the dip and dunk and all the others (HC 110,

Diafine, Microdol, D23, DD23, Technidol, Tmax RS are to name a VERY few!)

were run by hand. Most of the clients were 120/220 and 35mm shooters but

we had our "favored" large format shooters. What I suggest, talk with the

people in the lab and then ask a few questions of "the regulars" to see what

their needs/wants are. I wouldn't run anyone's film in something different

unless it is CLEARLY stated! This is only asking for trouble and lost

customers.

Thanks for your input guys. It seems so me that some people may not want to do the developing at home, but might want to try diff. developers. So with that in mind, I think we might offer some XTOL (I have times for about 20 films) developing at first along with maybe Perceptol and PMK. You're right about the time(s) issue. I sit in the lab and process 20 test frame clips of FREE film in FREE developer to get the times right, along with my own personal frames to get some good working data--what fun!

Our densitometric equipment is also always handy for really fine curves. (and I get paid for this?!)

Probably will be a no up-charge service, but will take a little longer turn-time.

Thanks again for all your help!

-Dave