Most flatbed scanners do a just OK job of scanning film negatives (or positives). Negs should be somewhat easier, since their density is not nearly as high as positives.
Resolution of most flatbed scanners won't be quite high enough to get all the detail out of a 35mm negative; you need at least 2400 dpi optical resolution (not interpolated), more if you want to accurately render the film grain. For very large prints, you want to pull all the detail you can out of the negative.
Another option is to shoot the negative with a DSLR. I've done this with the 10D, and gotten great results. It does take the right set-up:
- Negative must be purely and uniformly backlit
- Must have macro capability to 1:1.6 magnification (for 300D)
- Camera on tripod and remote release
- White balance set for the illumination source... don't use auto.
- Compose, focus (use test shots), ISO at lowest value. Acquire image
- Check histogram, make sure you didn't blow highlights badly. Remember that highlights become shadows after inverting the negative; some blown highlights which will become pure blacks are not necessarily a bad thing. Also remember that shadows become highlights, so you want to keep noise as low as possible in shadows. Shooting RAW and "exposing to the right" is a good idea.
- Pull into Photoshop, convert/invert. Post process as desired.
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