Brad
Depending on the negative, you may able to get much better. That is a fairly challenging scene. Perhaps you could experiment with a daylight shot with even tones.
Anyway, yes 300dpi is "correct" for printing purposes. But that should not be confused with the "dpi" of the scan.
What is said below relates to Epson Scan - I use it extensively on my V700 with Macbook Pro
For example, in professional mode, do the pre-scan. Then go to the professional scan window and make choices for two things:
(a) the target size - it will drop down with a selection of sizes at which the file may be printed after scanning - 5x7 in., A4, 8x10 in. etc etc - select which you think will be the size you want to print
(b) Resolution - you will see a value in blue, maybe "300" - if you hold on the button to the right you will see a lot of other resolutions, up to 12,800! Ignore them. You have chosen a print size of, say, 8x10 inches in step (a), so simply make sure the resolution is set to "300"
It is because of the approach taken in (a) and (b) that you do not need to get into some decision about scanning at 2400 or 9600 dpi - and you will see a lot of debate about that, but it is another story for now.
Because you have chosen a target size of 8x10 and a printing resolution of 300 the V700 and Epson Scan will work out what scanning resolution is required to produce a print at 8x10 with a print resolution of 300dpi (the accepted standard for a print).
When you have scanned that file you can print it quite happily at 8x10 (I use A4) and the print will look as it should. You could also print it at 5x7 because it is by definition a large enough file for that smaller size. However if you print it at, say, A3 it may not hold up too well - because it is sized at scan time in the way noted above.
Try that - see how it goes.
You can ignore the target size business and scan at high resolutions (or "scan dpi") and obtain huge files. However, although I used to do this once I cannot figure out why I would bother if I know what size print I want. Ok, I might do it if I wanted to archive the file at max resolution to cover all printing requirements in the future. But you are just starting out on the long, sometimes tricky and frustrating road of scanning. Remember - Keep It Simple! Go for the freelance stuff later.
I'll be interested to see how you go. There is nothing 'wrong' with Epson Scan once you get your head around it. The same no doubt applies to VueScan and SilverFast, both of which I have used. I kept coming back to Epson Scan.
