1 year. You can also check the net to see how many folks have been having trouble with the 645D. I think you will find the numbers low. Certainly better than that other $7,000 camera by Leica.
I couldn't agree more with both Shashin and Tom with their personal thoughts regarding reliability with the 645D and all the rest they expressed.
For myself, the 645D has been flawless in every way, reliable to a fault and never misses a beat. That doesn't mean that an occasional unit doesn't encounter issues as any reliable product might encounter. I think with all the years Pentax has had developing the 645D..they got it "right". Something tells me if Pentax never had financial issues, the 645D it would have been released years earlier (with a smaller sensor of course) and also had a higher percentage of problems.
Case in point: Think of a high school student who has to hand in a major paper in 2 weeks..it may be good but could use improvement. Give them an extra 3 -5 years to work on the same paper and it should be close to perfect. That's sort of what happened to the 645D in development.
Getting back to the issue of Tim's 645D and the repair needed for the spring loaded mechanism responsible for ejection of the SD card. I would make continuous calls to Pentax Canada repeatedly until you reach the very highest levels of management, explain the situation and demand an explanation. I realize labor often costs more than possibly a $5.00 part but the cots of your (Tim's) repair is beyond comprehension if that's all was needed.
Pentax as I explained earlier in my professional dealing with them, would do most anything to keep a working relationship on a level that's expected. Fast forward years later, you can only speak to a receptionist at CHIS repair when dealing with Pentax USA repair and as I had a serious questions and issue regarding a older lens....and it was as though the receptionist was simply a go between her and the tech and would allow nothing more. I think Pentax USA is simply now a office and is involved in nothing more that paperwork and keeping track of import of equipment and a few other administrative things. Of the record I've spoken with a few present and past contacts.
Personally, when it comes to out of warranty Pentax equipment, I'd bypass CHIS and go directly to Pentax Japan since it now appears Pentax Canada which I greatly admired when I had some Canadian shoots and required their assistance. is becoming similar to Pentax USA.
I have a feeling that the 645D that needed the eject mechanism repaired, was sent back to Pentax Japan as most 645D's do when needing attention...and that's why it took so long to repair. Pentax Canada probably tacked on a $900.00 surcharge for their services much as CRIS does.
It appears like a lot of companies, that certain subsidiaries have becomes nothing more than clearing houses.
Nikon USA is becoming the same way with regards to repair charges and evaluation. Send most any lens or camera under warranty (such as lens that is front or back focusing...and it will come back with a $300.00 or more estimate for "impact damage". That's been the new catch phrase for Nikon USA the past 3 years for almost anything your send them in or out of warranty that has an issue...even a lens that was removed from the box brand new and mounted once. Luckily the web has spread the word about this sort of unethical practice and a couple of sharp words with upper level management and all of a sudden...all charges are usually removed and repair is free. They depend on most not being aware of this. Literally hundreds if not a few thousand have reported this practice and still Nikon doesn't get "it" that word is spreading via the web.
With many companies like Pentax in dire economic straits and like Nikon, with their profits reportedly reduced significantly the past 12 months...this is what these companies now resort to, to survive. Don't get me started with Nikon raising prices on small parts by as much as 200% and charging $25.00-$35.00 to mail a piece of 1" x 2" rubber for the bottom of a grip in a 50 cent envelope. This began a few months ago as well as their no longer allowing independent service facilities to order and sell parts to the general public. What a wonderful "new" way for all these companies to generate customer loyalty..."Not"!