A recommendation is not really possible to make without some idea of how small or large these negatives are. Nor is it at all clear what level of expectation in quality you have, nor what what your budget will allow???

With more detailed information a useful recommendation is possible, but not without it.

Thank you for your reply. Good questions!
Most of the negatives are in the neighborhood of 2.5 X 3.5 inches, some a bit smaller and others a bit bigger.
As for preferred quality, I would like to have rich images of, say, 8 X 10 inches that are god enough to mount, frame and display.
My budget would allow for up to $500 for the scanner and associated software. If I can get away with less, all the better.
Many thanks for your interest.
S

The ideal in both convenience/applicability and quality would be the Microtek ArtixScan M1, in part because it unique E.D.I.T. film scan support provide a direct and easy way to scan odd film format sizes. And the quality can be very effectively controlled with the Lasersoft SilverFast SE Plus software provided which contains NegaFix that make getting a good interpretation of different negative images easier.

However the ArtixScan M1 is a bit over your budget, but that is set off maybe by the quite complete software package that is contained with the scanner.

See: http://www.microtekusa.com/microtek-artixscan-m1.html

And also: http://www.silverfast.com

Thanks very much for this advice. I'll check out the websites you cite and return with any questions.
S