Try R. umbellata instead.

So, is there really no way to prevent the leaf spot? If I got one, would it be absolutely sure to get it?

Are there any varieties of the R. umbellata with pink flowers? I've only seen white for that species. White's okay, but pink is prettier. :) And I want one that stays fairly compact, as well.
The reason I wanted this plant was because of its small size, drought tolerance, because its evergreen, and I think it's an attractive plant.

Thanks.

The dwarf umbellata is the most compact and diminuitive that I have seen. The pink ones are quite good about spotting up--I call them Crapiolivetips--but there are some nice specimens around here and there anyway. Same as with Fraser photinia, which is commonly infested and spoiled by the same pathogen.

Hot spot with good drainage--but not real droughty--for these.

I had a pink one in several locations around the yard trying to avoid the leaf spot but after six years, I ripped it out.

I have a friend with a huge photinia hedge that is in horrible shape, is there any hope for it? It is a much needed privacy hedge, or should they rip it out and plant something else. It is almost totally defoliated with leaf spot despite being in full sun and on a slope so drainage should be good.

Slopes do not alter internal drainage of heavy soils. Many slopes here weep water for all or part of the year. Sometimes houses in view neighborhoods built over clay take off and head toward the Sound after rainy periods, slipping down the slope over the greasy soil beneath.

The photinia hedge will just have to be replaced, I think most people will not want to undertake and keep up a spray program and really shouldn't anyway, due to health concerns.

No, they won't. They have many animals. They live in a rural area about an hour southeast of Portland, slightly drier country, their slope definately doesn't weep and hasn't been effected by building disturbance.

What would you suggest they replace it with? It blocks view of neighbors who keep trash vehicles/junk around their house/barn and also shades their house. Although almost completely defoliated from leaf spot it isn't doing either at the moment.

The spot I would put the plant would be in pretty hot sun almost all day, and the soil is not heavy. It doesn't drain perfectly, but it doesn't retain moisture for very long. I can always add better soil.
I am also open to any other suggestions for a shrub for this spot. I just need one that loves full sun, can take drought, stays fairly small (as I've already mentioned), and blooms in spring. Almost everything there now blooms in summer-fall. I would really like it to be evergreen so the area isn't so bare in the winter (but I suppose it doesn't have to be). I have a lot of perennials in that spot, so there's not much there in the winter.

Thanks again for your advice.