Why should I not use "black and white" or "sepia tone" features?

Why should I not use "black and white" or "sepia tone" features?

Mark Comon (Vice President, Paul's Photo, Torrance, CA) gives expert video advice on: What are some helpful features my digital camera could have?; What are features of some digital cameras that I don't need?; What is the difference between an "optical zoom" and "digital zoom"? and more...

One of the questions a lot of people ask me about digital cameras is whether it has black and white mode and whether is has sepia. Most cameras do. But I never recommend shooting with black and white mode on the camera. You're throwing away data, you're throwing away all the color data. I recommend shooting in color. In photoshop later on, use the desaturate or channel mixer to create sepia. It's easier, it gives you better pictures, and you capture the color beforehand so you have it later on. If you shoot in black and white, you never have the color. It's gone forever. Once again, shoot in color, make it black and white with your computer.