Classic Dad

I bought a new lens for my camera. Dad would be proud. This baby is HEAVY, weighing more than my camera itself. A sweet, uber-sharp standard focus lens. He made fun of my "plastic," lightweight digital camera lens when he first saw my digital SLR.

Much of my dad's photographic equipment is sitting in my basement. My mom didn't really have a use for it. My sister would like a camera. So I have flash units, cameras, lenses, filters, and stands galore.

My new lens needs a filter. Preferably a UV filter, but just about any basic filter will do, since really I just care about protecting my investment. Filters are a relatively inexpensive accessory, as far as camera equipment goes. I didn't order one when I got the lens, thinking I could use one of the 125 in my basement (it may not be that exact number, but close; maybe 117). Of all those filters? A single filter that fits my lens. One sad, lonely filter--that's BROKEN!! The threads are crushed. I mean, are you kidding? Why would you not throw that out?? Classic Dad. I'm sure at some point my dad duct taped it on so he could use it. Why chuck it if it can be retro-fitted?

I told my sister that story on the phone tonight. I think I began the conversation something along the lines of, "Oh, speaking of classic, I have a Classic Dad for you." She laughed, of course, and maybe even got a little choked up. (Fine, I did too.) She then proceeded to tell me about her Classic Dad of the week story. In the middle of the night last night, she used the bathroom and when she flushed, the flusher didn't work. So upon opening the lid to the tank to flush it manually and figure out what was wrong...she discovered the chain was broken. Or rather, dad's zip tie chain had broken.

Classic Dad.