I'm glad that I didn't attempt the repair myself based on the Russian fix. I also realize I'm taking a chance on the CA fix, but I'm hoping that what I learn will help others.
I do a lot of manual macro shooting, and I was going to use the K50 just for that purpose, but It's my wife's camera so reason for mailing it out. After speaking with Mark (owner), i got a warm and fuzzy feeling. If you look at dslrparts, he lists a lot of fixes for cameras as this helps his spare parts business, and he said he will eventually do the same for the K50, but right now it's helping him make a living.
One thing for sure, I will never buy another Pentax, if I had known what I know now about Pentax service and the K30/K50 problem, I would not have bought the K1. But it's an awesome camera and currently, have no regrets. IQ and resolution is outstanding. We all know how our first impression is often the best, when I dumped the first few shots on my computer, I said "wow". The image was exactly like I saw it when I took the shots. I have yet to do any post processing on the K1 shots and I use the Av mode mostly.
I have the D FA 28 - 105mm FF lens, the auto focusing is so fast and precise, that I don't even bother with manual focus touch-up. I will also shop around for a prime wide angle lens around 16 - 18 mm. I have yet to use the pixel shift mode as this time of year, scenes are dull, but I look forward to using this mode. I have a pro friend (has written several articles in Popular Photography, name is Chris Tennet), and he's into astro photography. He has a keen interest in the K1's ability for astro tracing and I will bring it in at our next meeting for him to look it over. He's going to help us out with astro photography.
So my horizon has broaden thanks to the K1.
Paolo
---------- Post added 12-31-16 at 09:53 AM ----------
Originally posted by Not a Number Ricoh probably treats these failures on a case by case basis because there there are a number of reasons for the failure. As I recall in the long DIY thread over the "Russian Solution" one poster found several faults (such as a burned out motor) and it was difficult if not impossible to determine which cause what. Which is probably why Precision replaces so many components for the repair.
Since the fellow in California says there will be no charge if the defect in unrepairable it would seem he does not have a total solution and has to treat each repair case by case.
Reason we wants to talk with you first, as he won't take the K30/K50 if he feels he can't repair it. I feel what he does is purely mechanical, he doesn't replace parts, and this is the only problem he works on. Again, I'll find out, and will let you all know.