RE: feathers or vanes
Yes and Yes.
They provide much more control over an arrow than vanes ever will. Even when numerous arrows have passed through the feathers they are still able to provide you with excelent arrow control. They are super forgiving to any contact they make with objects such as a rest or a twig.
To be perfectly honest the only REAL disadvantage to feathers is that you need to water proof them. Outside of that feathers are far superior to vanes.