In regards to problems with Copal's:
In the U.S. I know of only one place that can work on them, Precision Camera works in IL. They are also the repair center for Arca products at least heads and the like. So long term, not sure there is a good solution for repair. Precision is run by one person as far as the work done on shutters, they are great but going out 10 years not sure what will be there.
If you have to replace the shutter, it's not an easy deal, as the lens will have to be re-colimated by the lens company. As I mentioned before this is not a quick or cheap job. 6 to 8 week turn around unless it's late July or all of August when a lot of Europe is on holiday. After re-colination, the lens has to pass back to the Camera company, Arca, Alpa or Cambo to be readjusted, i.e. fit with a new lens mount. Add another 2 to 3 weeks and a bit more $$$
Actual range of shutter speeds on a copal will always vary. Some have a habit of giving 1/45 when you are at 1/30 other will jump 1/250 and hit 1/350th. Some will not ever give 1/500. Accuracy is not a strong point. I have 6 and all of mine have issues between 1/125th and 1/500 in getting 1/250th which is a shutter speed I seem to prefer. A couple of them also are very hard to get to give either 1/30 (instead hitting 1/45) or 1/60 (instead hitting 1/90).
Lack of 1/3 or 1/2 shutter speed increments is a huge issue for me. I shot with my DF last week due to a issue with my IQ260 and it reminded me of just how nice it was to have 1/30, 1/45, 1/60, 1/80, 1/25 etc.
In regards to the the electronic shutter driving a difference between amateur or pros, I don't see that at all. All of my revenue is based on either my photography or printing and I use a tech camera 100% of the time with a Phase One back when the shooting conditions allow it. However I am not willing to just add in another 1K--1.5K for a electronic shutter, one that is a stand alone setup, probably will have issues with the sync with a Phase One back, and requires a dongle/iPad, whatever hanging around. One that also appears considerably larger in diameter than the copal solution, I am sure adds more weight and may create issues in adjusting the aperture depending on the lens/camera mount. Example Schneider 35XL on Arca. or 43XL for that matter.
For that I would rather see a Focal shutter solution. No doubt if the issue with Copal was known in 2011 when I made the switch I would have given Alpa more consideration. They do seem a bit more forward thinking and ahead of the game with products like the FPS.
Paul