People's needs vary. I know the limited concept is very high build quality, compact size etc. As for WR it's surprising Ricoh didn't make the updated HD versions WR (prices went up quite a lot on many)
Everyone has their own set of priorities..and personally I would not pay over £800 for a WR zoom that covers a less than ideal range. If you need the lens speed there are lots of alternatives, if you want small size a prime has that covered or for that outlay several primes.
I agree you can't have it all, but this is a bit of an odd choice let's be honest.
We've no idea how the lens performs, so we shall have to wait and see. People don't really buy a 20-40mm f2.8 -f4 for buttery bokeh, and it's true the 17-50mm isn't loved by all (but it's subjective)
I can put money down now though that the Tamron will outperform the Pentax at 50mm f2.8, and at the 17mm mark too
For obvious reasons!
As for the Zeiss v cheaper MF lens argument
Are we suggesting you can't get great shots off a non limited lens? Because I've seen some fab shots off that MF lens
!