Fishing and hunting shots?

[Ron Kruger]

That's what I figured, Wombat. I'll tell you, I think the reason Pentax is third or fourth or whatever is not because they have inferior equipment. I really believe that for the price, they are the best buy. But Pentax doesn't seem to understand public relations nearly as well as Canon or Nikon.

[OldClicker]

There are a lot of on-line rentals. I know nothing about the process or how reliable they are, but would think that one of the major shops (like calumet in Chicago) would be OK. - TF

[Ron Kruger]

I found a neat rental place online, camerlensrental.com. A K20D would cost me about $100 a week, plus shipping to and from, or about $150 a week. That's a lot to me, but it is an option. I can get it within 3 days. What really seemed interesting is their lens rental, which of course is much cheaper, and it might be a good way to try out some of the expensive Pentax lenses I've been considering before financing a new one.
Of course, if Pentax doesn't come through for me on this deal, I'm saving up to switch to Canon and will never buy another Pentax product.

[Ron Kruger]

I spent quite some time on the phone with Pentax today. Live people there seem very helpful. I expidited my application with the guy that heads the Professional Program and have been approved. (It's still an overcomplicated process.) He, in turn, expidited the repairs and even told them to upgrade my firmware. Finally, after burning quite a few minutes between three calls, he said I should have my camera back within a couple of days (they are even paying a higher rate for faster UPS delivery).
Whew!
I need a drink.

[SmartWombat]

Sounds like you got to talk to the right people.
It makes a difference !

[Ron Kruger]

You're exactly right, Wombat. But sometimes that right person is extremely hard to find.
I'll wait to see how my camera performs when I get it back, but for now, I'm a Pentax man again, lusting after their high-quality prime lenses.