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Ok, here's a stupid question.

I have just developed a couple of black and white negs and the one which has the best contrast range - ie the one which I think is better exposed appears to give a scan with burnt out sky but better detail in the main body of the image - and the one which is underexposed by 11/2 stops looks lovely on the scan. Can someone tell me why the correct exposure scans worst?

Or perhaps it is the two glasses of wine I have had tonight?

Can someone tell me why the correct exposure scans worst?

Because it was only the correct exposure in terms of darkroom workflow, maybe? There was something on the http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ website some long while ago (I forget which article) on the topic of exposing for the scanner. But I wonder also what variations there might be in selecting your scan area - include or exclude the black border and the tonal range will change. I have an Epson 3200 and have to take great care over the selection.