Digital BW, The Print

I've used Kodak Portra and T400 CN and scan on a Canon 2710. In 
scanning some old Fuji slides (provia 400), using channels and going 
to grayscale, I find the results just as good IF NOT BETTER. Can 
anyone confirm what I think I see?  My goal is the best b&w I can 
get, but I like the idea of having the color slides - just in case- 
and also for ease of viewing my files. My work is sneaky street 
photography.  Thanks. ArleneLoveL@...