DA* 16-50mm

I'd like to solicit opinions on this Lens, with all my current wheeling and dealing I've ended up with two Pentax 17-70'S & a SINGLE limited DA35 F2.8 MACRO, I want to run myself a comparison between the 17-70 and 16-50, I love the 35 macro but some of you may know I've been down that road before. I want what I want/need in as few lenses as possible, so that there are no passengers this time around. I'm certain of my DA* 50-135/300 and the Siggy 8-16, I'd like to have a lightweight back Packing combo of the 16-50 and 50-135 because of the weather sealing which is important to me, the 17-70 doesn't quite scrub up there as it's rotating focus ring isn't sealed as far as I am aware but optically both of mine are superb and pretty much in use for 70+% of my shots, if it doesn't measure up, I'll just get the 21/40/70 Ltd like I had before...
I've read most of the reviews on the Lens which seem to put it as no worse than the 17-70 in the same range and comparable F stops, it's just a bit soft at F2.8 which is ok by me as if I used it for limited depth of field photography I'd likely not be bothered by the edges anyway...

To be honest Mike it was your comments on the subject that made me leave it alone the first time around, I want to give it a try, if I don't like it fair enough but I want to give it a good go before I jump into Limited land again, because I know what I'm like and I's just end up with em all but they are just trophies/paperweights if they are not getting used...

I'm not trying to put you off Jules, a lot of people love the lens. I tend to use upwards of 50mm a lot more than I do the wider focal lengths so for me the 17-70mm does fine (as did the 16-45mm before it).

I know Mike, didn't mean to come across like I was blaming you for my past Lens misdemeanours I've done that all by myself!

I like the idea of a basic three Lens kit for Landscapes IE: Siggy 8-16/Pentax 16-50 and 50-135, and I've got the DA*300 for longer, I'd love Pentax to bring on the fabled 1.4X convertor and I reckon I'd be set, four Lenses but what a set...

He He
Ok then, now just to acquire one!

May have sourced one, owner willing... Here's hoping.

I suspect the trail is going cold, anyone else got one they don't use?

Got one! Should be here early next week, looking forward to putting it thru its paces.

I actually used mine yesterday

It's been so long the SDM motor had seized up.

Don't sound too good?
Did it free up?

Yes, couple of quick manual turns of the focus ring sorted it.

Pleased to hear it!
The addage wirh this one and the 50-135 seems to be to use them on a regular basis, part of the reason I've gone for only four Lenses this time around, I want to be able to carry rhem all, all of the time, I still want the 200 F2.8 (So make that five:twisted but just as a gap filler (between 135 and 300:shock and because I just like the Lens...