I'm well versed with both. I've shot for money (although not full time) in the 80s and the noughties.
I find the old layout much faster. I don't like to control a camera with just two wheels (and only one wheel makes it horrible). I dislike multi mode controls, they are distracting.
Quite, but i don't want the dials because they are retro, but because they make operating the camera much faster and simpler.
Uh, no. Not really. I wish this fallacy could die, because it's starting to get on my nerves a little. Different, yes; easier, maybe if you're not used to the control scheme of a modern camera; definitely not faster once you're well-versed with it.
Likewise, I've owned and used several OM film bodies which I loved very much (still have my OM-1n). I've also have a couple of Nikon F's, an F2, and an F3 Photomic.
I don't find that having a shutter control dial on the top deck (ala older film Nikons, Canons, etc) to be faster than having it on a front or rear dial. I suspect that Nikon and Canon feel the same way, which is why none of their pro cameras have the shutter speed control in that location. In fact, even in the film cameras, they ended up getting rid of that style of shutter speed control.
Same with the ISO control dial on the left top deck. Most enthusiast and pro photographers use their left hand to cradle the lens, not hold the body. So adjusting ISO with the old-style control would involve holding the camera with the right hand hand in order to adjust ISO. Not exactly a quick and easy thing to do if you're using a long lens.
The aperture I can see being nice to have on the lens. It falls to hand very easily since your left hand is already cradling the lens. But there's always the disconnect between it and the actual aperture used whenever you use P or S mode, unless it forces you to switch the aperture ring to an AUTO setting in order to use P or S, which then means an extra step to use those modes. Also, moving aperture control to an on-body dial means that aperture direction stays the same, instead of being dictated by the lens manufacturer.
I think multi-use front/rear dials make more sense on today's cameras simply because there are a lot more parameters and features. They also let you hold onto the camera while making adjustments much better than the controls used on older film cameras (by that, I'm talking about the same adjustments such as aperture, ISO, shutter speed).
I understand your preference for the simplicity and familiarity of the old style controls but I disagree with your assertion that the GOOD modern control layouts are not as fast or efficient.
