Originally posted by dlhawes There's a reason why I stopped buying anything from Pentax. It's too bad, because I love the engineering and the fact that it appears they're going to be the only ones making DSLR's any more. But the fact that their manufacturing isn't up to snuff, choice of materials has demonstated deficiencies coupled (three lenses fell apart because of the flimsy internal plastic parts the self-tapping screws go into) with the lack of meaningful customer service means there's just no point in taking a gamble that my purchase of very expensive products (my name is not Zuckerber, Gates, or Buffet) from them will just be throwing money down a rat hole.
I always smile when I see you post this. (Because, lets face, it, you've told us this a fair number of times) I mean, it's just the way it is with consumer goods. Some people will have negative experiences, some will have positive.
I've bought, over the last 35 years, probably around 8 Pentax SLRs and DSLRs and, maybe, around 20 lenses, almost all Pentax, but also Sigma and Rokinon.
While I can't speak for the few I have sold, every one of the ones I have still continue to work exactly as the day I've bought them.
The one time my K-1ii needed a repair (and not due to a manufacturing defect, but an accidental bump) the local Pentax agent sent the camera to Japan for repair and recalibration and it came back perfect.
We, unfortunately, live in the era where repair is becoming a thing of the past. Already, when dealing with many consumer goods, this is so. Dishwasher breaks? Often cheaper to replace than to repair. Fridge compressor fails? New one. Car gets a ding? New panel, no-one reshapes a panel anymore. Too many panels and airbags deployed? Car's written off as too expensive to repair. When last have we seen anyone rebuild a steering box or a fuel pump or a water pump? It's all throw away. Most phones now don't even have the option of replacing the battery.
We can bemoan the fact, but it's unlikely to change. Pentax really is no worse than any other consumer goods manufacturer. Although, all my lenses and bodies still work. (Touch wood)