Hi Fred, and welcome :)
You've had some great (and robust :p) responses thus far.
I'm going to respond a little differently, by describing my own position and how I look at things. That might provide some useful contrast to yours.
I've been a member here since 2010 when I bought my first Pentax DSLR, but I've only been very active with my photography and forum posting in the last six years or so.
I shoot more than one system - Pentax, Sony A-mount, and Sony E-mount (but only with adapted lenses). I'm not a so-called "fanboy" (I don't like the term as it sounds rather derogatory). I see good and bad in every brand and every piece of equipment they produce. No-one and nothing is perfect. I have no loyalty to any brand other than to continue buying and using its equipment if it suits my needs as an enthusiastic hobbyist. I don't care if equipment from other brands is better or worse than mine in certain ways, or in every way - and pride doesn't enter into it for me. On that basis, whilst the opinions, appraisals and conclusions of bloggers and reviewers can occasionally be mildly entertaining (for a variety of reasons!), they matter nought to me. I form my own opinions, draw my own conclusions, and act on those alone. I don't look for reassurance or approval, and I don't care if anyone should think I've made good or bad choices in my gear (proof can be found in my signature... you'll see that I own a Hasselblad HV and don't even hide the fact!! :lol:).
I've never bought into a system or format on the basis of what it might offer in future - only what is on offer right now, and the availability of compatible products in the secondary market. I wouldn't buy into, or stay with, a system that couldn't offer me some means of achieving what I want, but I'm happy to learn new skills and use ingenuity to work around weaknesses in my gear. Often, that's part of the fun :) It also means that I rarely have any reason to complain where equipment is concerned.
I have no expectations for further development and new versions of the products I've bought, though I'm certainly interested in any new developments, and it's nice to see product lines evolve. Having the latest whizz-bang features and class-leading specifications is generally of little importance to me, though, and I'm happy so long as my basic requirements are largely met. To that end, I buy what I like and can afford. I have no problem choosing discontinued and rather outdated equipment if it fits the bill. My only expectation is that product quality should be commensurate with the prices I pay. I'm an easy customer to satisfy, and any new developments are icing on the cake for me. I'm rarely, if ever, truly disappointed.
I don't need or expect a line of communication or input into a brand's product development. If a company actively seeks my input, I'll willingly give it. Beyond that, I'm happy to sit back and wait with interest to see what new products it offers. If they suit my needs, I may buy them. If they don't, I won't.
I'm a fairly contented Pentax user, and I've no desire to switch. I like the cameras, and I like the lenses... but the main reason I'm settled with the brand is this place. Despite the negativity you've read about (and it can be wearing at times), we have a fantastic community here. Many members are incredibly willing and generous in the advice and help they'll provide when asked nicely, with courtesy and respect. For a hobbyist like me with so much still to learn, that's invaluable. It's a far better support network than any manufacturer could hope to offer, and much more important to me than camera specifications and features, gaps in lens line-ups, differences with other brand offerings, etc.
I'd like Ricoh / Pentax to continue making great cameras and lenses that offer something different to the mainstream, and I'm sure it will. I doubt it will ever lead the market in specifications, features and performance, nor will it have the proliferation and market dominance of Nikon or Canon. I don't think it even wants to, and I certainly don't care one way or another. As a niche manufacturer of high quality, interesting and capable products, though, I think it'll continue to do well. But if it closed shop tomorrow, I have fully working equipment right now that should last for years if I take good care of it - and there's plenty more available in the secondary market should I need to replace anything. Given that, I don't lose any sleep over the brand's future :)
