Wow, this forum alone is a selling point for Pentax
So many helpful replies in a short time!
I have carefully read through all, and looked up lenses and bodies that you have suggested. I thank you for your time and for the introduction to bodies and lenses I was not familiar with.
I don't think I should quote and reply everyone, but the majority have correctly questioned whether I have a real need for new gear - since I haven't really identified where my current comes short.
To be honest, I can't really pinpoint specific single factors I want to improve. Sometimes you just want to buy something new, right? It sounds shallow, but it applies to me, especially technology
If I were to buy a new body now, I think I would look for a higher resolution and better low light handling, because I have in a few cases been wanting for a better possibility to crop my photos, and as I said I have never gotten a good astrophoto off - although I believe that also has to do with my lack of a fast and wide lens.
Reading through your thoughts I conclude that there are good options for upgrades that would make a great difference from my current K-x in several areas, but at the same time, the K-x is capable of delivering great photos still.
I think, that for now - the rational thing to do would be to read more about the handling of the camera, photo theory and
practice more with my K-x. And for the next step, buy better glass. My current lineup covers a wide range from 18-300mm altogether, however they are on the budget side of things and I am sure that perhaps getting a faster wide lens for example for astrophotography, and then maybe look into 1:1 macro options, are logical paths to go. Thanks for the input here.
Also, thanks to those who commented on my photos. Those 30-ish in the album link were so far the survivors of 300 photos from that trip. What I am trying to practice is to compose good images and I felt I was getting better even during the trip, because I just got out and shot many pictures. Most of the pictures that got discarded were photos where I got the exposure wrong, wrong focus (I also shoot some with a 50mm prime manual), or was just too boring. So - user errors mostly.