Other 'retro/classic' hobbies

[random_dave]

Hey there folks, does anyone have any other 'retro' stuff that they like to play with besides games?

I'm rather partial the design of a nice old analogue clock (especially large ones found in train stations and the like) and old propaganda and motorsport posters.

But I also really like old cameras, and using film, far more than my fancy pants digital SLR's that i mostly just use to do quick auction pictures.

My favourite photographic weapon is one of these beauties


It's such a nice feeling camera to crank and shoot with, and using a handheld light meter is the best (although I usually do it 'by eye' with the help of the sunny 16 rule.

Unfortunately I've been a bit slack in developing film of late, so my fridge is full of not just unnused film, but also exposed but undeveloped stuff.
I need to buy another batch of chemicals and get developing in the bathtub again, it's so magical to be making actual images from blank cellulose or paper, much better than this nasty electornic business

[Nurmix]

Hey there folks, does anyone have any other 'retro' stuff that they like to play with besides games?

Cool additional hobbies, RD!

I'm into electronic music gear (synths, samplers, drum machines et al). I used to be an "electronic musician" full time, but the money wasn't always there, so now it's more or less a hobby. I've got quite a collection of gear, and a lot of it has been bought used cheaply, then reconditioned and/or repaired by me.

Here's some "not quite current" information about most of my studio gear on my "retro" (meaning not updated since the late '90s or early '00s) website. This was back when I was using an accelerated Atari Falcon030 as my recording computer): http://www.nurmix.com/red6.htm

I'm also a former DJ, and have a large collection of 12" singles from the mid-eighties through the early nineties. I've got all the necessary DJ gear as well, and occasionally set it all up for a party.

I'm into VWs as well. I started with the air cooled variety, and then onto GTIs. I've had several, and used to put a lot of time into customizing, car shows, etc. My current daily driver is a 2004 GTI 1.8T.

In addition to that (although I haven't done most of this stuff in ages), I also enjoy model rocketry and slot cars (still have my stuff from when I was a kid). I also managed to hold onto a lot of the toys from my youth, including Lego, Hotwheels / Matchbox Cars, Star Wars , stuff, and more.

My 2 1/2 year old son is in for a treat when he gets a little older. Right now the only thing he'd appreciate about this stuff would be how it sounds when he throws it on the floor.

[SubaruBrat]

Great topic, and great hobbies so far! I like collecting old radio controlled airplanes, cars etc. part of it is getting to own the things I missed out on as a kid, and being able to own the things again that I enjoyed. But also, getting to bring modern technology into the mix and making ideas that were really neat but didn't quite work, work very well. One example is a favorite plane of mine, an A4 Skyhawk which is a jet. Back in the early 80's there were no practical model jet engines so what we used was a two stroke gas engine to spin a multi bladed impeller mounted in a tube to produce thrust and emulate a jet. This jet used a very small .049 engine and produced about 1Lb thrust and it weighed nearly 3 Lbs and didn't fly well, if at all. Most flights were extended glides. Today the plane can be built with 3 Lbs thrust and weighing only 2Lbs so it comes off the runway and climbs straight up.

I also enjoy building (real) world war one aircraft. My next project is a Fokker DR1 triplane.

[random_dave]

With it being Guy Fawkes weekend over here I've taken a week off work to take the dogs out in the daytime rather than splitting their walks between morning and evening. I decided to use this opportunity to finally go and check out some of the plane wreckage on one of the nearby moors. I took my polaroid that i had at play expo, and my Olympus OM1 with some Fuji Press 800 that i shall hopefully develop later this week.

My first attempt on friday went a bit wrong, and after getting lost came accross a little bit of the wreckage of Avro Lancaster KB993 of Canadian 408 Squadron, and C47 Skytrain 2108982


With a better base knowledge of the area from that excursion I went back on monday, and finally found the remains of RB29 Superfortress 'Overexposed'

[miner2049er]

I had no idea that stuff was still up there.

[focusrs]

other than games, my other hobby is Model Railroading

IMG00365-20120915-1109.jpg

My Santa Fe Super Chief crossing the trestle

[miner2049er]

I haven't touched model trains in years, but I remember having one that puffed out smoke that looked like steam.

[Burgertime]

I collect Star Wars stuff, and I've been really tempted to try and collect a line of little figures from the 80's called Battle Beasts. Used to have a bunch of them from childhood, and have no idea where they are after all these years.

[focusrs]

I collect Star Wars stuff, and I've been really tempted to try and collect a line of little figures from the 80's called Battle Beasts. Used to have a bunch of them from childhood, and have no idea where they are after all these years.

I forgot about star wars, I have tons of that stuff from my earlier days of madness The neatest one is the interactive R2D2 robot.

[wntic]

I love to collect vinyl. Just love the sound and quality. Plus you just got to love the large area they had to work with when it came to art. Its not even rare ones it just albums I like and stuff that catches my eye.

Also I hav a habit of collecting horses but that a hole other thing, lolz.