Scanning an image- what is my best size to scan??

Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

Ok, I have a website of racing photographs from the early 70's(www.yesterdaysneuz.com) and I am using an Epson 3200 scanner. I am scanning the negatives and color slide images at 300 DPI. By default, it gets me the full framed negative at 4x6. If I don't use that and select the size of, let's say, an 8x10, I don't get the full frame of the negative. Only by scanning a 11x17 can I get full frame. But obviously, the Megabites are increased dramatically. So far I have scanned about 4000 negatives or slides using the 11x17 way but I am at about 50gig of space. I have atleast that many more to scan if not more.

There are times that I need to have the photos at an 8x10 because someone has purchased it.

Am I better off scanning at 4x6 or 11x17? I am more concerned about the best quality than anything else.

Thanks for your help,
rjneuzel