Originally posted by Kunzite KAF4 and PLM drive are independent, neither of them requiring the other. They could make KAF3 PLM lenses.
But even if they'd go KAF4 (PLM or not), there will probably be at least 8 compatible bodies when the next such lens would appear. Maybe it's time to do it?
Yes, and there is no reason as to why we must go back to the aperture lever when we can now have a nice clean uncomplicated (and possibly easier to manufacture for Pentax & 3rd party) fully electrical interface like Canon.
The only difference is that Canon did this in a single shot while Nikon & Pentax took many years of evolution.
For me, the real deal was always the KAF4 while, the previous generations were more so to maintain compatibility and have the change gradually made without hurting investments of existing customers.
If all DSLR manufacturers had done this long back; I doubt Canon would have been such a big monopoly over the camera market.