Again, it DEPENDS ON THE JOB!Exactly, I know some graphic designers that will work only by hand and in some markets compete with others using massive investment in equipment. These equipment guys would laugh at the ones who work by hand saying they have no pro equipment, but guess what, with no pro equipment they take work from the guys with all the bells and whistles. To make art I guess the most expensive brush do not equate to the best picture.
If you have a friend that does graphic design and only works by hand then he will never be able to do a logo that covers the side of an entire building or the side of a bus unless he's really good at converting to vector images.
It's not about what is right or wrong. I don't believe in that when it comes to art. I believe in art first but you need to get the equipment for the job. Simple as that.