Normally when I want a buttonhole, my Expression 2 just does it, perhaps a bit of help needed on thicker fabric but gets the job done.
Yesterday I wanted 4, followed by 5 later on. The try outs on the fabric were short one side, never happened before and on a nice fabric that should not create problems with thickness. Eventually I got what I wanted using a spare foot I had, but it set me off in a little spiral. My machine is 8 years old, my other machines are manual buttonholes, I needed a reliable buttonholer (of course I can't remember the last time I needed one), so I started hunting.
My old Janome 7000 did them perfectly, stick your button in one end, choose your buttonhole and put your foot down. Perfect every time. I have to admit I nearly pressed the buy button such was the urge the get that perfect buttonhole. Only the fact that I need a new laptop stopped me. Mind you I did enjoy the thrill of looking but it made me wonder, which machine does the most reliable buttonhole. They do all manner of fancy stitches, which you usually don't want, but which does the most consistent buttonholes?
The machine I'd eventually settled on was the Janome SMD 3000, reasonable price, not many stitches and Janome. I was hoping the buttonhole stitch was just as good as it used to be.