Point of reference - scans from a contact sheet and film, Epson 3390 using the Epson software. 6x6 negative from a Ricoh Diacord, Arcos 100.
contact
film
contact
film
From a 4x6 print, some Pentax camera, SMC-A 28/2.8
film
I scan film, or use the drug store minilab scan for 35mm. Scanning a contact print can be OK. If I were to have a darkroom and the time to print properly, that is, with 'manipulation' of the print to achieve what I want, I would scan the print. However, I find I can do more and better with Photoshop. Regular mass production prints can be manipulated as well to bring out what needs to be, but film IMHO is the better starting point.