lighting an expired stock and scanning for best image

[Patrick wilder]

I just got my strip test back form Kodak Atlanta for 16mm Fuji Eterna Vivid 500t. It looks like the sensitivity has reduced down to about 125-200 ASA. I'm thinking that rating it at 50 ASA will be the safest way to get a healthy negative. Luckily the stock isn't showing any discoloration or fogging!

Does anyone have knowledge on scanning and the difference it makes on grain? I've only so far had 16mm scanned at 2k. Will a 4k scan do anything to mitigate the appearance of grain in a stock?

Since I'm rating at 50 ASA from a 500 ASA film I assume that the grain structure stays the same regardless, since it is germane to the manufacturing. Is that accurate?

 

The stock looks great when properly exposed. I'm wondering if the extra money for a 4k scan will be worth it or overkill for 16mm. Also, I read that this stock was designed to be graded, rather than having an "out of the box" look. Can anyone speak to that?

 

Thanks!  

And in anticipation of a wonderfully helpful David Mullen response, thanks in advance!