Hi all, Just wanted to let you know that I have spoken to the Pentax repair Agent today. They had repaired the camera in Melbourne, and he had the camera back in the Brisbane office.
He retested the camera and flash again. (this was the 3rd time repaired)
The flash failed again when he tested it.
So tomorrow I pick up a new replacement camera.
Hooray!
I have missed my camera so much. HOw could I have confidence in it after so many failures?
I can now attend the next several functions with my new camera.
Thanks so much for all your encouragement.
I'm off to camera club tonight to mix with all my camera buddies.
See ya!

Thanks for the votes of confidence from all of you. I' so happy you took the time to look at our camera club site. If you are not already in a club, you should join. It is great to spend time with other enthusiasts, and you get good and constructive feedback about your images.
Anytime I share my photos all I love is that others can enjoy them also.

I have been to the Pentax agent today. He was shocked to see me again so soon. (Friday picked up the camera and back again Monday).
He said he would discuss it with the Melbourne office, and see if they will replace my camera.
I didn't get angry, and he thanked me for my patience.
If anything I had a very girly reaction, and was tearful about all the camera issues.
I hope to hear back in a few days.

If anyone is interested in seeing some of my photos, here is a link to my camera club site.
I'm not as successful as some of the other members, but I do love my pics (mostly Australia and New Zealand places)
enjoy.

http://wbcc.net.au/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=25

I had rung the store where I bought the camera. But as it was 18 months since I bought it and I would have had to pay for the repairs.
When I spoke to the Pentax agents they agreed to do the repairs under warranty.
That's when I decided to see if anyone had a similar fault. I wondered if it has been a common breakdown with the Pentax SLRs.
I will see the agent Monday and get it sent off again, and see where we end up. At the moment the repairs and freight are costing them.
Each time I have only taken about a dozen photos with the flash, then it just stops working.
I am a keen amateur photographer and do local competition, so I take hundreds of photos each month.
It was a real challenge at our family Xmas to take photos without the flash. Luckily it was a cloudy week. Usually we have 35-38C weather and glaring sunlight.
anyway, thanks everyone for any advice.
My other keen photographer friends still can't understand why I didn't get a Canon. About 90% of our club members never use anything but Canon.

No, I have not asked for a replacement camera while my other is being repiared. The repair shop is a business that does not carry cameras, so I didn't think to ask.
It would be nice if they replaced the camera. I have many friends who use Canon, but I have always had Pentax. I just hope they find why it has failed again.
I have a friends wedding to photograph in the first week of March. I am getting nervous that I won't have my digital and may need to use the olf film camera.
anyway, I will let you know the outcome.

I have had my K100D for 18 months. Some wonderful photos and I have done well in my local camera club competitions.
Before Xmas I had a similar failure of my in built flash. Whenever I poppped the flash up, I could not take a photo.
Took it to the local Pentax recommended repairer.
Wow, they would do the repair under warranty.
But, 3 weeks away in Melbourne. Suggested he cut off my arm and send it with the camera.
What will I do for all that time with no camera?
It was back in 10 days with a new flash PC Board.
I took several photos with fill flash. then the fialure happened again.
Back to the repair shop. Camera off on its trip to Melbourne again.
Picked up the camera yesterday with its new Flash PC board and new Main PC board.
Took several photos last night at a party.
Complete flash failure again...
Huge disappointment. Photography is only a hobby, but its very important to me. I have loved my Pentax til now and am devastated.
I'll let you know what happens when it comes back form repairs again.