[Mike1234]

Mike... Don't be fooled by looking at scans on your monitor, which might be different than mine. You need to see the prints.

If they were scanned separately you certainly have a point but if they were scanned simultaneously side-by-side then they definitely differ, IMHO. I'm not trying to argue but if they were scanned together then I can see the tonal compression in the highlights. However, I DON'T disagree that negative film can often be grossly overexposed and still make nice-looking prints. Or are you saying you scanned the film and not the prints... different story there.

BTW, if one is scanning and printing digitally PS Curves can really work magic if one knows how to use that tool.