Try titles from Tom Ang and/or Ross Hoddinott.

I get mine at good prices from RUbooks amongst other places.

No connection to either author or site; just find them to be good.

The advantage of DNG is that many software packages recognise the format vs. PEF which is more limited (and model specific).

On the other hand, DNG files are bigger than PEF I believe.

I use DNG on my K20D, and just carry a lot of high quality 4gb SD cards, which also addresses my 'eggs in one basket' concern over potential for card/data corruption. I shoot JPEG + RAW and manage c50 shots per 4gb card.

I agree with using the Pentax software to read PEF, but PSE7 should recognise it if up to date.

Been a number of posts on this topic, some in the past week or so. Suggest a search?

Short answer is 'yes', using a so-called 'hack' that enables additional options in camera. The adjustment is global, however.

That said, seems people who've used this method find it quick and easy enough to change the 'global' setting for each lens as they use it.

I think you're correct (although there are others here who perhaps know more about the 'hack' software). What I've read elsewhere are comments from people who use the 'hack' software each time they change lenses; it's supposedly very quick and easy, and once you know what adjustment to make per lens it's a matter of a few moments to set the camera up for it.

Whichever route you take, hope it works for you.

Can you post examples of your dark photos?

As to the lens, think more about what you'd like to photograph, in particular shots where the kit lenses have failed you somehow. (I'm assuming you have one or more of the kit lenses with your K-r).

Would you have preferred to fit more in, ie you needed a wide(r) focal length than 18mm?

Was you subject too far away for 200mm?

Would you have liked to get much closer, ie macro?

Once you've thought about where your photography is taking you you'll be able yo get more specific advice here on the Forum.

So far I've haven't bought any third-party lenses, but as a principle if I had no choice, ie Pentax didn't make what I wanted, I would buy AND email Pentax to tell them why. I don't know how much they see/know about purchases of third-party Pentax fit kit.

Here's a good resource for len's specs; http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/

There are plenty of review sites that will give you test results for some of these lenses, plus of course you'll find plenty of comment in this Forum.

You say you've been advised. Was that in response to you saying something along the lines of,'I wish I had a lens that would (enter issue of choice here)'? If so, what is the issue that the 50/1.4 will solve?

You'll find on this Forum that you'll get good advice if you can be specific about the problem you hiope to solve.

You'll also find some debate as to whether fast glass is actually of benefit on DSLR's. Certainly you'll have a brighter view-finder (to an extent), but what do you want a 50/1.4 lens for?

Don't forget, all you'll be achieving is a lens that works well with your current camera, ie the lens and camera tolerances 'match' so to speak.

Change your camera in the future, who knows how the lens will perform?

You could use the so-called 'hack' software on your K10D to enable AF tuning.

Welcome, and bring on the questions. On this Forum there are no such things as daft questions, although I can't say the same for some of the answers.

I emailed the Editor a week or so ago, attaching a selection of other (positive) reviews from other mags, and posing the simple question 'why is your mag so different?'. So far, no response.