Iain, thank you for all hat information but not all was needed, at least not for me but I'm sure someone will find it helpful.

The DA*55 indeed has a the same angle of view as a 85mm lens on film but it does not act as one.
Here this is a comparison I wrote link

I already have a DA*50-135 and bought that mainly for the portrait purpose.
Now Like you said I'm looking for something faster.
50mm I find personally too wide on an APS-C sensor, with the DA*50-135 I always move around in the mid range of the lens hence the reason why looking around that focal length.

Zeis is fully manual but with f/1.8 the DOF is to small to trust the AF sensor with so that's one thing that doesn't concern me but you are right to expect AF at that price.

Open file is what is meant with the import command, you can find it in the top of the left panel.

It looks like this one will do you well link
Has any experience with that book or know a better one?

edit: a review about the book, he talks about RAW link

Martin, ik maakte me al zorgen toen je alles verkocht, dat je je passie in fotografe had verloren maar je meetzoekercamera commentaar maakte alles weer goed.
Hopelijk geeft de nieuwe camera en lenzen de zelfde of meer voldoening dan dat Pentax en Takamur je gaf.
Ik gun je niks minder dan het beste.

Range finder so far as I know, don't know the brand.

ps. are Golfdiesel and I the only active Dutch members now?

Quite a voodoo camera Paul, first time hearing that.
Hopefully they repair it better then you think.

Have worked on roofs with my dad.
No harness though but we did it differently, what he is doing is simply very dangerous.

Most here like to use the Metz over the Sigma, they both work good on the Pentax system. None works better I believe but there is simply a difference in handling between the flash.

here is more link good thing is they also have nice photos and it's about Pentax, what more could you want?

Mowog, no comment on the paint job, I've no idea how they do it.

Have no idea about the colour, they have HD series which their top one and the Pro and the normal one, like said the difference is mostly in the coatings.

I couldn't find a slim on either from Hoya, B+W have them though with and without coating.

I don't think you will come far with a book about RAW, it's a bit like saying you want a book about water since you want to learn how to swim in it, as you can see it won't help you much.

Get a book about Photoshop Elements 7 aimed at photographers, that one will most likely explain how to use RAW files and precess RAW files in the program.