Originally posted by snake Not really, unless Pentax develops a worldwide support network, or ANYTHING in lieu of it, where they cover the costs of getting a part anywhere, used or new, from anywhere in the world to wherever a pro is shooting. We often think the "pro" aspect is only about the equipment, but it's also about the support.
Not to mention, when said war photographer comes home, everything will need to be cleaned (including supposedly sealed lenses because stuff still gets inside) and adjusted. If Pentax can do this with rapid turnaround, not their typical three months (which is also a display that they are not positioning for pro usage), then we might have something.
Since Pentax would have, realistically, only a few pros part of this program (and some claim there already is one, but it's nothing beyond a connected photographer having support), Ricoh eats the costs, it can help push Pentax into these realms.
No, methinks you try to narrow things just to have an argument, however, I just don't agree on that. Professional use, been used in a professional environment does not equal solely your description of the said war photographer. There are many fields in science and research who use photographic equipment professionally, without the alleged surrounding conditions. There is no difference if my 3000,-€ FF-Nikon fails up in the air or my K-3 for half the price (I might just get two of the latter for the same budget).
I also don't think I can expect any support in the middle of Mongolia on a expedition. Neither from Pentax/Ricoh, nor any other manufacturer. It's a matter of backup solutions, a manual MX and a MF-lens, fine with that... has been done for many years just like that.
Olympus used to be the preferred brand in some of these fields because of their support and connectivity f.e. with microscopes and many people learned the virtues of this system on job and used the cameras also i their private life. Pentax was the other one with the LX and they still have a good standing being featured in catalogs for forestry supply etc., the K-50 is a solid and capable "low" cost tool and in these cases it's not about waiting for repair but just buying two of them for the same budget as other manufacturers would charge you for basic environmental sealing.
That's also one of the virtues of the modular Ricoh systems, the lensors are perfect to calibrate thus useful for professional photogrammetrical purposes.
Too small niche? The value is not least in the brand recognition...