Originally posted by jimfellows Any purchase outside of the EU and particular from USA will cost at least 19% VAT extra in Europe. Not only 19% on the item's price but also on the shipping costs which are very high from USA to Europe.
If it is above US$ 160 (€ 150) it not only VAT but can be duty as well.
Anyway: The diagnosis "diaphragm controller broken" is possibly just a guess because one has to have the K500 open to know more.
€ 200 for repair is indeed useless.
K5: Very robust, but no KAF-4 ability (PLM lenses)
K-S2: Wolf in sheepsskin but not as robust.
If I would have to decide (and if a PLM lens wouldn't matter) I would not know which one to take.
I think I still would prefer the good old K5.