Negatives Scan? Print Scan?

[gcsk76]

Background
I use Photo Studio 5.5 (which came with my Canon Scan 8600F couple of years ago) for cloning out the dust.
For resizing, adding contrast, frame etc. I use Fast Stone Image Viewer 3.2.
I have no idea how to use layer/adjust curve etc. (Out of laziness to learn)


Scans, Neg? Print?
All these while I have been scanning my negatives with my 8600F and sharpen/crop/resize/frame with Fast Stone (for internet posting).

This is how it looks like upon scanning from negatives. Dull, flat.

I would then sharpen and add contrast to make this :

So far so good. Until I saw someone posting photos from Print scan!
And I think to myself, would I be able to present the image of my intention more "original" if I post the Printed scan?

Hence I printed them on Contrast filter #3.5, MGIV RC paper and scan them.

Observation
I would think that different monitor sees different image (judging from the discussion of BW photos in the forum, whereby I can't agree with some of the exposure).
The Print scan is different from the real print when I put them side by side.

From my own monitor, I seems to like more the neg scans.

I understand from previous threads that :
1. Scan photos/negatives need to be tweaked.
2. Flat bed scanner can't capture print details well.


Questions
If I would like to reproduce what I print into what I post, should I change my scanner or should I invest into Photoshop?

PS. If it matters, the picture above taken with Summaron 35/2,8, Tri-X in HC-110.

 

[gcsk76]

From my own monitor, I seems to like more the neg scans.

Quoting myself, I actually like the neg scans for the details. On the other hand, I find the Print scans have more "characters". (I will leave out the discussion on wet print, because that will need to be compared against a digital scan print)

Here are some more Print Scans for your reference :

The images of the Neg scans are HERE

 

[Fotohuis]

Well maybe interesing this Flikr threat:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/72157615781193937/

and here a print from the Split Grade (TM) unit on Amaloco Variprof/Ilford MG IV, Same Leica + Elmarit 2,8/28mm lens and 3170 scanner for the photo scan:

 

[Phantomas]

Well, looking at your negative scans I'd say you're doing pretty well! The photo of the icecream vendor turned out very good, I don't see how that can be improved much.
Concerning your question, I'm by no means an expert, but I'd say invest in better software first, scanner second. What you already have does decent enough job. No scanner will give you perfect results out of the box (especially with color negs) so software tweaking will be necessary regardless. Get something more sophisticated - Photoshop, lightroom, aperture or even elements. Then once you start using better software get a better scanner.
Again, I'm no expert but I believe scanning negs is preferable to scanning prints - more room for tweaking to get that true-to-life result.
Good luck, hopefully someone with more experience will chime in. Myself I'm still using poor man's Canoscan 8800 + photoshop.