This 35 years old Yashica Lynx 14E camera is my dad's. It was lying in the bottom of a wardrobe drawer when I found it. I asked the owner if it still worked. I remember he looked happy and managed bringing it to the camera shop for lenses cleaning right away.
The light meter was broken and there is no way it can be fixed because this camera use the radiation meter which is no longer used in any cameras. My dad told me to use my own instinct. I laughed, said I had no choice left, I guess I would have to use my own instinct like he said.
My dad is a hard working person. Since I was young, I never get to go out with him a lot. My memory about him is that he would sit at his desk drawing plans or calculate the construction costs. He was not like this when he was younger. My mum said he was the coolest guy. He was a photographer. He always took photos for his number one model; my mom, with this camera. I've seen a lot of photographs from this camera. My mum would wear a fabulous tailor dress and posed on the beach. Sometimes he shot her from the mirror. From his angles, I think my mom is the most beautiful woman for him.
If you see him now, you wouldn't think he was once a fashionable guy. My dad wear same old style of clothes everyday. The pencil and the pen he uses are there in his shirt pocket for 24 years at least, same as my age. He would buy me things on my birthday if I insist (which means I have to drag him to department stores); Model, Play Station, Bicycle..etc. But there's none of them that I still cherish, I guess all I wanted that time was my dad to go out with me.
This camera becomes one of my treasures and may be the only treasure I have from my dad. I took a lot of photos with it in every places I traveled. People often asked me about the camera when they saw it. I don't know why I feel a little pride inside when I say "It's my dad's". I guess it is because I felt like this camera used to be a part of him and now I have that part with me. So when I decided to come to US, this camera is on the top of my list.
It is now on the top of my shelf.
I really miss my daddy.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am really motivated by your father's love to your mother! I think if a man keeps taking pictures for a woman, he must deeply love her. And it is also a very romantic way to express one's love. Your father is a nostalgic person who cherishes everything of himself. It is a really good habit. I can feel your worship of your father and your love for him. So everytime when you bring your father's camera wandering around the New York City, it just like your father is accompanying around you.
ReplyDelete