The OP said the mode button was missing, no mention of dial.

K-01s do have a mode dial. See page 18.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-01.pdf
They're basically a K-5 without the mirror assembly.

I do agree, It sounds as if they didn't really know what they were doing or why they were doing it. Lacking leadership somehow perhaps? Someone should have ben keeping an eye on the clock.

With all pieces of art folk have mixed opinions. Nothing new there!
As they say, 'One man's meat is another man's poison.'

If you've taken part in camera club competitions I'm sure you'll have noted that a photo one judge raves over will be instantly dismissed by another and vice versa. These are likely to be the same breed of 'judges' you'd been dealing with. They are all entitled to their opinions whether you agree with them or not.

At the end of the day your photos are your photos and you can either agree or disagree with any comments made at such gatherings. What matters if you're happy enough with them, I don't think any of us are ever fully so but one has to stop somewhere.

Just get over it and carry on!

I'm not really sure what you're asking for as you know what there is to know about the subject. What I would do though is to check up on any legal implications that might be encountered photographing strangers. It is the sort of question that some of your clientele may ask about. e.g. In France it is illegal to photograph strangers in a public place, so some international awareness would be valuable knowledge to pass on. Also when model release form would be required. Plus any income tax implications re your new vocation!
Good luck with the venture.

Some normal flatbed scanners can do a reasonable job with slide and negs now too such as the Epson Perfection series (e.g. V500 Photo.) Possibly just as good as the LS2000. They also benefit from being able to handle large format originals too, 645, 67 and so on.

That one looks good to me. Maybe I haven't got my monitor so bright as yours!

Possibly just Windows 95. Maybe it could be forced to run in compatibility mode.
Is it this one? Don't believe there is an LA 2000!
Does it come with its accessories, i.e. slide/neg carriers. Without them it'll not be much use.
Do you a SCSI port on your PC and suitable cables?

Given he hasn't returned it seems you were right after all.
Prize on its way!

He's not spamming anything at the moment. But a strange first post though. If he is desperate for that Lensbaby there is a new one in K mount here:
https://www.grooves-inc.co.uk/lensbaby-lensbaby-velvet-pentax-lensbaby-accessori...
And if new ones are still on sale, why should they be making more of them? Sell what you have and then do that.