The lifespan of film-based media is limited...the future is digital.
It's a shame to let the precious record of the past disappear forever. Digital restoration and storage preserves these priceless memories long after they would have deteriorated naturally. Additionally, digital retouching can enhance modern photographs through the use of composition rebuilding, digital airbrushing, and montage.
I still retouch primarily by hand, using very few shortcuts. The result is an attention to detail which I feel is superior to most graphics programs.