If the dealers you ask don't stock Pentax (or some other camera you're asking about) of course they're going to try and sell you something they do have. If they'd had a K-50 or similar surely they'd have wanted to sell you it, sounds like they'd have been glad to get rid of it. I don't think it is Pentax (or Ricoh now) who bribe the magazines for rave reviews, we often think how underwhelming the advertising is for Pentax products compared to the others. If a Pentax does get a rave review it is more likely the reviewer has been genuinely surprised.
Often Pentax get criticized for their camera menu systems because they are apparently different to the other makes. But Pentax try and retain some consistency across the range; the menu system on their DSLRs is much the same as on compact and bridge cameras, Having used a Canon EOS I can state that the Pentax system, to my mind, is much more straight forward and quicker to access the function you want (and that works across the range.)

As for lenses, there's plenty around if you go to the right shops. There's a good range of current glass plus all the legacy glass going back decades.

Both SRS in the UK and B&H in the States would offer an unbiased recommendation as they stock the other makes you mention too. Other dealers do sell Pentax kit too but they're not nearly as widespread as the big players.

While some time ago Pentax DSLRs might have seemed pricey compared to the competition that isn't the case now for a solid, well made camera. For your intended subjects the Pentax would be ideal. A quick Google for the K-50 shows pages of 5 star reviews from all manner of review sites and blogs. Surely they can't all be wrong!?

You won't have lost anything trying it, but you might if you find you don't need it.

Irfanview link or FastStone Resizer link.
Both good. Both Free. Both easy to use.

Are you looking for a newish, low shutter count example or a well used cheap one?
I presume you mean you want the battery for it as well but not any lenses?

(First post in seven years, you've been lurking quite a while!)

Don't dismiss a K-5 or K-5ii as some prefer those to the K-3 and they are quite reasonable now. Quite a few users here have both a K-5 and a K-3 and will no doubt be adding a K-1 at the first opportunity.

Great photos David. I wouldn't know how to find the turntable, but had to be on my way by the time it was there anyhow. After the big event I popped into the NRM for an hour (to warm up!) A queue was growing to see it in the yard after it had been turned, which I gather from your exif was around quarter past three.

Yes, reckon you're right, there was a chilly breeze blowing across.

If you were to import to the UK from B&H
K-1 Body: $1,796.95
Shipping starting from $49.01
Duties & Tax $394.75
Total cost from: $2,240.71
This equates to approx £1615 (Whether UK customs, VAT and PO handling fee are included I'm not sure.)
Would seem better value to spend £1599 at SRS.

No, not at all. Even with the 30-40 minute delay everyone was patient. Having waited 10 years, a few more minutes made little difference.
The station PA announcer tried to get a Mexican wave going during the wait, but failed miserably with that.

Seems David was near the end of the platform close to where the crowds were in my second shot; so not a million miles away.

Didn't see any other Pentax's. Mainly mobile phones, tablets etc. Most mobiles were held in the portrait format. What sense does that make!?!
No idea if David was there but he did say he might go. No doubt he'll let us know shortly and add another pic or two if he was.