A service bureau, benefitting from high volume, can usually operate more cheaply and efficiently than small in-house laboratories. However, once initial costs are met, such an agency can often microfilm at less expense than would be charged by vendors. Even in-house operations cannot be entirely independent, as they must find a reliable vendor of supplies and maintenance. Learning to microfilm efficiently takes time, while film processing and quality testing require special expertise. Nevertheless, the agency cannot take for granted that its vendor will routinely follow standards without proper supervision.
Records microfilming often calls for different camera and film requirements.
Oversize documents, such as old deed books, require 35mm film to achieve a legible reduction ratio. Old, fragile records may be damaged by running them through a rotary camera, where documents are constantly in motion. Usually, service bureaus can better afford a variety of equipment and supplies. An agency should not, however, rely on its vendor to select the best camera and film type for its records. Before signing a contract, it should ask the vendor to film a sample of its records and examine the results.