Of course the Ist D# are no match for a K5, and no good above iso 800.
But in my opinion they are better than a late model M4/3
Ist-d# problems I had were intermittent contact resistance problems on various buttons and switches.
It is possible that Bedlam's problem is the main power Off/On switch wiping contact which (in my opinion) was an iffy design along with the wheel switch in the ist-d# models.
I have been using 2 ist ds with a 3rd as a parts donor for the last few years. Opening the bodies/ servicing/ is difficult.
But if they both failed I would probably spend a couple $ hundred for repair if possible or look for another istds.
The M4/3 12 MB i have is fun and can do pleasing happy snappy shots and the auto exposure is better, but for me, no match for the Pentax in sharp focus, color accuracy, realistic DOF, and etc, for realistic camera jpgs.
I aim for the 2~3 MB camera jpgs that look the most natural as i saw the image, and I do no pp on the keepers.
It was a big day in Flint Michigan today and I took a lot of shots with ist ds - with the original old 18~55 kit lens in M mode, a lot of the shots were with the 3 shot exposure bracketing in M mode.
I don't put up family shots , here are a couple from Ist ds:
The (2) professional photogs at the Crim Kids race each had EOS-1 bodies ( $5 grand each ??) one with a long lens and one with a wide and a big flash for close in under the trees.
https://www.box.com/s/4f0aa4548e5419950a5b
This one in Flint U of M pavilion , looking out to the old cars at the "Back to Bricks" in Buick city
https://www.box.com/s/4085b64e1dc302e658d5
Here is a shot from the M4/3 with 18mm ( posted before) looks OK but to me the 18 mm is a problem also the camera jpg looks slightly "processed" ??
https://www.box.com/s/f7b4205014069b6b453a
I will put some more of old ist ds today's "Back to Bricks" shots in the kit lens club.