Scanning for printing

[glc]

I'm using SFSE6 to scan color negatives and use an inkjet that prints photos at 600 dpi

Which would produce a better 4x6 Printout at 600 dpi printing ?
1) Scan for 4x6 inch at 300 dpi and let printing resize
or
2) Scan for 4x6 at 600 dpi (same as printing spec)
or
2) Scan at higher resolution of 900 dpi for 4x6 then let printing resize?

Does it matter much?
Thanks and hope to get a reply.

[degrub]

Usually you can get the best results if you are at or above the printer driver's native resolution requirements. If it is an inkjet , you will have to experiment. If it is dye sub, feed it the native resolution.

just my experience.

[glc]

Thanks.
I usually just scan at 300 dpi for 4x6 since I can't see much difference on the screen when comparing it to a 1800 dpi.

My printer uses a feature called "PhotoRet" for printing photos which I guess simply gels the ink drops nicer and the 300 dpi scans really do look good on print.

The 600 dpi PhotoRet printer feature uses more ink than the plain 600 dpi but the printout is clearly better (more color depth).

Now I'm wondering if I could save on ink by using the plain 600 dpi instead with 600 scans and have the same quality printouts.

I guess it would be logical to scan at 600 dpi.

[degrub]

IIRC, the hp driver only expects 300 ppi input. Everything else is dithering patterns to improve the print. scanning at higher ppi likely will not improve the picture.

[glc]

Mucho gracias.