Why not look at the light meter. In Manual mode it generally should be centred to get correct exposure. I only use the histogram after a photo has been taken.

Mechanical shutter problems, so called "shutter shock" only affect certain images if the speed is in the general range 1/60 - 1/250. When using Bulb, the "shock" is too small a part of the overall exposure for it to have any effect.

You can move the focus points/point on the KP, but it is not as easy as a joystick. The new aps-c flagship will feature a joystick.

Nice shots. Again I find your "candid" shots in the pits more interesting than the action ones.

that first one is astounding.

That is a great first picture but i would go for a tighter crop to emphasise the concentration.

Thanks for posting

Sent it in for a warranty repair ?

Looks to me like you have a good weather sealed lens together with a good weather sealed camera body, so that the air is expelled where the designers intended it to.

Where are you actually expecting that air to go ?

I tend to agree with Mike. ebay is expensive to sell on, but what are your alternatives ? Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree or Shpock are possibilities, but do not have the reach of ebay. You have to make your own arrangements for payment and delivery, with less protection than ebay offers.

I like it. An image which can be examined.

indeed I do !

Super shots again. You have debunked the myth that Pentax cannot do sports photography. Well done.

It is all about the photographers skill which you clearly have in abundance.