Should I stay with Pentax?

Adam Rich wrote:

Pentax is the only brand of DSLR I have ever had. I own a K100D, K-x, and a K50. Unfortunately, the K50 is dying the sad slow solenoid death, and I am debating on what to do next. I only have a handful of non-kit lenses, the Sigma 170-500mm and a Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8. I have been debating whether I should move to another camera system or stay with Pentax. I need to make a decision fairly soon as I am taking a big trip over thanksgiving and would like to have a good camera. I really don't have the money to spend much more than $1500. I thought I could possibly get a used K3 Mark III, or I could jump into another system's basic camera with a kit lens or two. But I figured I would ask you guys that have way more experience with these cameras than I do what you feel is the best way to go.

Do you like using the Pentax kit you have ? Does it do the job(s) you need it to do? If the answer to either of those is no, change. If the answer to both is yes, stay.

If I were looking to buy another APS-C body, and the K3-iii was too expensive, and the KF didn't quite cut it, I'd look at used K3 / K3-ii bodies. The K3 is new enough to work with all modern lenses, produces images that are plenty good enough, but for some uses the AF shows its age. There are lightly used MK I bodies selling on ebay for peanuts, then spend the rest of your money on lenses.

The alternative is to find another brand that you do like and does the job. Then you have $1500 + whatever your Pentax gear sells for - don't rule out buying used if you go that path either.

No-one else can say which option is best for you, and if you leave whether it should be for Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony or whoever.