[weatherwise2]

It's my birthday and about the 1 year anniversary of having the k10D. I want to get another walk around lens and have been reading some of the reviews of the pentax or Tamron 18-250 and it looks tempting but there does seem to be some issues at the high end.

The new 17-70 and some of the older lens of that size also look tempting.

I am now using the kit lens 18-55 and many times wish for that high end range for distant objects. I do live on the coast and many pictures are middle distance and local events or scenes typical for a "walking around" lens. I did pick up some older lens from a retiring photographer on Craig's list shortly after I got the camera and use them but none fit a good walking around glass:

M 50 mm macro f4 (my favorite)
M 20 mm f 4
M 28 mm f 2.8
DA 40 mm F2.8 (sharp)
FA 80-320 f 4.5-5.6 (soft)
M 80-200 f 4.5 (possible fungi spots on lens? Kept separate)

What are the pros and cons of the 18-250 vs 17-70mm. Do people have any issues on the high end (above 55) on either one?