It's unfortunate that some reviewers (I use that term loosely) will all too easily let their bias simmer to the top, just after a few sentences.

Pentax have to contend with this as do Olympus.

They can't or will not be bothered to make an educated comparison between the competing brands. The 'half a step behind' comment illuminates this in all it's glory

Chris at SRS says the new retail price in the UK for the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro is £699.00

However I think hardly anyone will try to charge retail..

If I had a 17-70 I would only use in damp conditions with caution.
Simply because it just doesn't have the same level of protection as the DA* lens range.

The way I see it...

I have recent vintage decent quality HD camcorder (Sony) which we generally only use on holidays. My wife is tasked with camcorder duties
It produces quite stunning quality full HD video BUT it is something else to carry and operate.

Now having video in the K-7 opens up video capture possibilities when you might not have your camcorder with you, plus you have much higher quality glass to produce a different perspective (excuse the pun).
With a camcorder you are limited to the zoom lens it came with plus perhaps a screw on wide angle adapter (which quite honestly make the things look pants anyway ).

Just my take, video on the K-7, thumbs up from me

Owen, if you are going to get one I would agree with Stefan, do it quickly

According to Chris at SRS I just got the last one he had at the £399.00 price!

They are now the SRS website at £525.00

Scott, for me it's number two as well.
Reasons, eye line and contrast with the background.

I would have probably gone for the 17-70 myself but weather and dust sealing plus robust build are also important to me. Not saying the 17-70 isn't robust but the 16-50 is built like a tank

My vote would go to Raw Therapee, rather a nice package IMHO

Thanks hefty
Owen, what finally swung me towards DFA 100mm f2.8 Macro was the handling and size/weight.
I'm sure the image quality between all three is very very close, all the detailed reviews that I have read and then read again seem to indicate this.
In the end I think it must come down to your preference with regard to the operation and handling (well it did for me)

Thanks John