I'm of a mixed mind here.
My Serotta (89) is campy 8 speed ergo. I like it, I can feather the font derailleur
and it is very easy to shift. I could see how someone not used to downtube
shifting would feel safer shifting without taking their hands off the bars. One
of the things I like about the campy is it is rebuildable, small bit breaks (index gear)?
take it to LBS for repair (I ain't gonna mess with Brifters!).
The de Reus I bought (94) will be either Super record of C-Record
(maybe Croce d'Aune if I can find a gruppo). I wouldn't think of putting ergo/sti on it,
it just would not fit the bike.
Everything else I own is downtube friction shifting, it's what I learned on,
it's what I'm comfortable with.
Like everything else its personal choice, and personally I don't think it
would be worth it.

Marty