No experience with the 17-70.
I’ve had the 16-50, 60-250. Both very fine lenses, no issues. I let go of both 
of these when I downsized my APS-C kit.
I kept the 50-135/2.8. Alone, it is a superb lens. Together with the 1.4x 
extender it is a very reasonable substitute for the 60-250.

Two thoughts. First, don’t leave the 20-40/2.8-4.0 out of your thinking. It is 
a nice little lens; I bought it to use in lieu of the 16-50 because of the 
smaller size. With the high-ISO performance of recent Pentax bodies, I have 
stopped worrying much about the difference between Very Fast and Moderately 
Fast lenses. 

Second though: why a zoom? You have a good 50mm for the center of your range. 
Now add the following:
        21/3.2           $355 (these are todays price new at B&H)
        35/2.8 macro  $430
                (If you don’t care for Macro, a couple other good very 
inexpensive 35s out there.
        70/2.4          $395

stan

> On Jan 29, 2016, at 11:27 AM, Ed Keeney <ewkph...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello all!
> 
> I have the following in my bag at the moment...
> 
>  Pentax K-50
>    SMC-DAL 18-55 3.5/5.6
>    SMC-DA 50-200 4-5.6
>    SMC-FA 50 1.4
> 
> I find that the image quality of the 50 is outstanding when comparing
> to the other 2 lenses (primarily the 18-55).  Not that the kit lens is
> bad, but the 50 is very sharp.  I attribute this to the fixed aperture
> and overall better quality glass.
> 
> I'm thinking of saving for a new higher quality lens (aren't we all?).
> At this point, I'm not sure which direction to take.  Do I look at the
> current lineup (below) or try to find a second hand older lens.
> 
> The current fixed aperture zoom lens lineup from the Ricoh site (US prices)...
> 
> PENTAX DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]     $ 699.95
> 
> PENTAX smc DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM     $1049.95
> 
> PENTAX smc DA 17-70mm f/4 AL [IF] SDM     $ 499.95
> 
> PENTAX HD D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR     $1299.95
> 
> PENTAX smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM     $1049.95
> 
> PENTAX smc DA* 60-250mm F4 [IF] SDM     $1299.95
> 
> 
> To start, I am looking at the DA 17-70 to roughly cover the same range
> as the 18-55 and luckily it's the lowest priced one.  B&H has it
> listed for $350, Amazon $300.
> 
> Online reviews are hit and miss on this (SDM focusing issues).
> 
> I'd like to get PDML thoughts, so fire away!
> 
> Thanks!
> Ed
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/edkeeney/
> 
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