Solution: El Cheap Flatbed Scanner
Solution: El Cheap Flatbed Scanner
I know that for hi-res scans for outputting to digital prints a dedicated film scanner is recommended. But if your primary interest in scanning film is to post to the internet, I would recommend a flatbed scanner with 35mm film adapter, such as my Epson 2480 or equivalent, which can be purchased for $99 US. That's only about 6 sets of CDs at the prices you quoted, and will give you more than adequate resolution for internet files.
The quality of the tonal range is set by the bit-rate (such as 16-bit B/W), regardless of the scanner's resolution. I find the difference in B/W tonal range between a cheap scanner and an expensive one is negligible compared to the cost difference.
I would also recommend shooting with Ilford XP-2, if you're interested in dedicated B/W 'workflow' (I love that euphamism), since you can get it commercially (C-41) processed anywhere, and in the future it will be compatible with darkroom enlarging onto traditional silver gelatin paper (if that's in the cards).
I might also mention that XP-2 (dye-based emulsion) scans better, with less granularity, than equivalent speed silver halide emulsion film, especially on cheaper scanners.
Alternatively, you can just shoot with the cheapest Walgreens brand color C-41 film, and then use the RGB channels of the resulting scans to do selective contrast control (albiet, at only 8-bits per color - which is why I usually prefer 16 bit B/W in lieu of the color method).
Of course, you can also go with hand-processing of silver gelatin B/W film, too; it's easy and the cost is less per roll than C-41 processing, and you have better control of your negatives' tonal range (i.e. expose for shadows, develop for highlights).