N*kon and C*non dslr have a BW mode w/ basic filters (red, yellow, and orange). You can set the camera to BW while still creating a RAW file. When you pull up the file - the sensor capture the color info by default. When you post process - it is your choice to keep the color or convert to BW. The filters are a digital effect but they are great.
Its not so much about pulling the RAW file but more about seeing the photo in BW as soon as you release the shutter. This allows you to re-shoot if you dont like what you see.
An example:
ROKKIN FOTO/sattlertheatre
I had the D80 set to BW mode and I intended to make this BW. However, when I pulled up the RAW file - the colors just popped. I kept it in color. The only post process is cropping in this. Anyhow this is huge for me because as I stated before I enjoy BW photos and wonder how much of a pain it would be to create a BW photo using the K10d. I dont go crazy doing PP and I only have PS Elements.
Anyhow I know I am all over the board here but I'd like to learn more about how you guys handle BW photos.
"RAW converter which knows that your end goal is black and white could use that knowledge"
That is interesting - Which RAW converters do this? I know there is the HUE/Saturation method and I use that for selective color if and when I use that technique.