Thanks all for sharing - but i was not so lucky by the time i was a bit clear, the mostly awaited DA 18-250 was gone!
Basically that is the only lens, I guess, is satisfying my requirements.
I wanted DA 55-300 but then I also needed something on the wide side (as I can't take group shots in a room with that) which I don't have. All wide angle lenses are expensive, also I needed if not a very long reach atleast a longer zoom which again the DA 55-300 can satisfy but the only issue like I said was the lack of wider angle and at the same time I don't want to change lenses atleast between the focal length of 17mm to 70mm.
Tamron's 17-50 or 28-70 although in my hit list, they both can't reach the other extremes. Are there any other suggestions (apart from Sigma 17-70 mm but will have to get a longer zoom separately which i don't want to do), I can stretch my budget to a max of $300 - $350.
Background: I now have two primes, but thought of getting an all purpose zoom to avoid changing lenses - I recently had a tough time changing lenses during my brother's wedding. Secondly, are there any zooms with 49mm filter size like those of my primes I currently own (DA 35mm and M85mm), which are nice small and compact.