I recently turned 56 and I realized that over the last couple of years I have been desiring the things from my high school and early adult years. Anybody else find this to be true? I grew up poor and couldn’t afford some of the things my friends had like stereos and such. It started with the dream stereo of my youth a Pioneer SX-780 and HPM 60 speakers and grew to include a couple of stereos. I bring this up because I have found myself looking at early 80’s SLR 35mm specifically Nikon FM2’s and various moutain bikes. Does any else’s do this?

Yep, one word- Delorean. Even before the movies came out and I saw them, I have wanted one. There used to be a car shop on my way to the job I had back in the 80's that had a few. They even had one painted in red, which wasn't that bad looking. If the right deal comes along, who knows.

Some things I was able to get- an ar-15, an older Corvette-sold it when the kids came along and a few other things I really can't think of right now. If you can afford it, indulge yourself.

I'm the opposite, I now see the senseless of wheels, motors, lift kits, exhaust, radios, speakers. ....
But I did buy a guitar, that was something from my younger days ...
I just don't have many wants anymore.
I spend my money on ammo for shooting competitions.

Yes. As soon as I graduated law school and started working, I outfitted myself with pretty much every shiny toy you could buy at REI.

I did a ton of camping as a Scout and lusted after nice camping gear when I was young and couldn't afford it. I still indulge myself with some new camping gear from time to time just because I can.

Only about ten million others And a few hundred million before us. I think it's natural to acquire those things that interested us when we were younger and couldn't afford them.

Look at the insane interest in Harleys 20 years or so back. 60's Musclecars are still popular.

I did it 20 years back by buying the .22's I lusted after as a kid; Winchester model 61's and Marlin 39 Mounties. Unattainable when I was 10 or 12 , but affordable when You're 40 or 50 years old.

Interested in older Nikons? Go to the Ken Rockwell site, to the Nikon pages, current Nikon models, then go BACK. Reviews and lens compatibility, etc on many of the older bodies and lenses.

Yes. What are we waiting for, our old age?

I am glad i am not alone I this. Just those couple of things that my buddies and I listed after or others had that I knew I could never get at that point in my life. I was contributing to the rent when I was 15/16 so just having some of the things that were popular were mostly out of reach.

I have been watching eBay for a FM2 but haven’t found one that went at a price I was willing to pay. I did pick up a Ithaca Model 37 featherweight in really good shape. It was the first gun I bought after I started working. I sold it after getting married when I needed money.

1972 was my great accomplishment year. That year I bought my first real tool chest, a Craftsman ten drawer upper. Still have it today. At that time I felt that "I had arrived".

1975 I bought my first gun. Everything to that point were inherited or hand me downs. I bought a Winchester 190. Still have it.

I too grew up in a family with very little discretionary spending. When I started to make decent money, I bought my parents things they wouldn't dare buy, that made me happy. But later on to indulge my youth, other than normal adult possessions, I too purchased old Nikon stuff to just have. I still have an F Photomic and some lenses. I also started to collect bicycles, since I never was able to afford a brand new one as a kid. When I bought a skateboard for my son, I also bought a few for me, even though I can't ride like I used to; when I was really into skating, I could never buy exactly what I wanted. But I'm done with buying for my youth, it is the adult stuff that is expensive

In my late 20s I learned to ski, and in my early 30s I bought a motorcycle. Which were things I could never afford, either as a kid or young adult. Now, as an adult with kids, once again I no longer have the time or money for either of them.

Ed, it's not a Nikon, but I have a Canon AE-1 that you can have if you want it.

MP5SD.

I grew up in the '70's and '80's, I have enjoyed buying some cool retro toys for my two sons as they have grown up. Yes, for my sons......that's my story and I am sticking to it


Just one example:

Great - now I have to go on a search for my replacement Nishiki bike from the 70's

quote:

Originally posted by Haveme1or2:
I now see the senseless of wheels, motors, lift kits , exhaust, radios, speakers. ....

Yup.

Grew up wanting a house. Had my blinders on the whole time and kept focusing on that. Missed out on a lot of meaningless junk that would have filled a Goodwill store.

Now it seems like I am getting all the neat stuff you mentioned.

Do you have the money to buy the items for cash and not pinch your other regular monthly payments ? As long as Your not going into debt to buy a toy, I say BUY IT. Life is short man. Nobody is gonna be on their deathbed saying they wished they spent more time at the office.

My dad never took me shooting until I was 18 or so and buying my own guns and I was asking him to go even though he had several guns he just never shot. I learned to shoot at Boy Scout camp. I vowed I’d never do that with my own kids. So I make the time to take my kids shooting. My son is 10 and loves to shoot. We go about 1x a month to a local range and on occasion to a friends private land. I get more enjoyment now out of teaching him and watching him shoot as well as standing over him so he stays safe. I still buy guns to add to my collection though.

The one big thing for me from high school to adulthood was a Questar telescope. Their marketing was great.
Finally last year decided to make the plunge, found a used one for a mere $2500--half the new price and 2.5 times the price new when I was young. And it's virtually identical from those days (designed 1954).

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Ed, it's not a Nikon, but I have a Canon AE-1 that you can have if you want it.

Carl that would be awesome that was the other camera I dreamt of!

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I recently turned 56 and I realized that over the last couple of years I have been desiring the things from my high school and early adult years. Anybody else find this to be true? I grew up poor and couldn’t afford some of the things my friends had like stereos and such. It started with the dream stereo of my youth a Pioneer SX-780 and HPM 60 speakers and grew to include a couple of stereos. I bring this up because I have found myself looking at early 80’s SLR 35mm specifically Nikon FM2’s and various moutain bikes. Does any else’s do this?

Yea. Her name was Joyce.