Lens: Zeiss Tessar 4.5 / 10.5cm
Camera Serial Nr.: F23627
Lens Serial Nr.: 2203535
Shutter Speeds: B, 1s, 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/10s, 1/25s, 1/50s, 1/60s, 1/100s, 1/250s
Aperture Values: f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32
Accessories:
- Yellow Filter from 1938 (Carl Zeiss Jena) with original Bakelite box
- 6x9 viewfinder Zeiss 437/2
- Zeiss Ikon Opton Proxar 0.5
- Zeiss Ikon 10” shutter release cable (thumb-activated design with screw lock)
A Decaying Tree, A Growing Story
Every photo has a story. At least one—the simple question of why you chose to capture it. With analog photography, the process slows you down. You observe more, think deeply about the composition, and reflect on what drew your attention in the first place. For me, that moment was about a tree stump in my community park.
In this park—a patch of nature where the wild often brushes up against the familiar—stands a tree stump that has quietly become one of my favorite photo compositions. Beside it leans an old spade, its wooden shaft weathered and splintering, mirroring the slow decay of the tree itself. What started as a curious subject for testing my Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 has since evolved into an unexpected photographic journey—a record of life, decay, and renewal.
The Films Behind the Frames
Each image in this evolving series has been captured on a different film, revealing the versatility of the Ikonta and its timeless Zeiss Tessar 4.5/10.5cm lens:
- Ilford HP5 (Expired): The first image was shot on an expired roll of HP5, resulting in a slightly muted contrast that evokes the quiet dignity of the stump.
- Ilford HP5 (Without Filter): The second image, taken without any filter, emphasizes natural tones, allowing the tree’s textures to take center stage.
- Ilford HP5 (With Yellow Filter): By adding a 1938 Carl Zeiss Jena yellow filter, the third shot captures deeper contrasts and highlights the stump’s rugged surfaces, enhancing the interplay of light and shadow.
- & 5. Ilford XP2 Super 400: The final two images—sharp and richly detailed—highlight the potential of this classic lens. These photos stand out for their remarkable clarity, demonstrating how this vintage camera can still deliver results that rival modern digital photography.
All negatives were scanned with an Epson Perfection V800, capturing the nuances of each film and making the Ikonta’s performance shine. No Photoshop—these photos are presented exactly as captured.
A Sanctuary for Life
This tree stump, a relic of what once stood tall, has become a microcosm of life. Over time, I’ve observed it transform into a hub for local wildlife:
- Woodpeckers diligently tapping its bark, drawn by the insects burrowing inside.
- Raccoons sniffing around its base, finding food and refuge.
- Black bears occasionally appearing, a reminder of the untamed beauty of this community park.
- Coyotes—a troupe of five—frequently hunting nearby. The squirrels, busy burying and hiding their food, always seem on high alert.
The decaying spade leaning against the trunk adds a human touch, hinting at forgotten labor while emphasizing the contrast between manmade objects and nature’s cycles.
Capturing Decay and Renewal
What fascinates me most is how this stump continues to change, yet remains a constant in my photography. Over several visits, I unintentionally documented its slow decay and the new life it supports. The textures deepen with each passing season, fungi bloom after rain, and the spade, leaning faithfully, seems to witness it all.
These photos now form part of my “From My Front Door” series, where I explore the beauty and stories within a short distance from home. Each visit has been a lesson in observing the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and time—a process that analog photography encourages like no other.
A Timeless Lens for a Timeless Story
Using the Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/2 for this series has been a revelation. The Zeiss Tessar lens, known for its sharpness and character, continues to perform astonishingly well, even after 86 years. The clarity and depth in the Ilford XP2 shots remind me why I chose to return to analog photography: the deliberate pace, the anticipation, and the tactile connection to the art.
The Tree’s Legacy
This tree stump is more than a photo subject—it’s a story of resilience, transformation, and the interconnectedness of life. It reminds me that even in decay, there is renewal, and even in simplicity, there is beauty.
Here are five selected images from this series, each telling a chapter of this ongoing story:
Final Reflections
This series is a reminder of why I fell in love with photography in the first place. The Ikonta, with its Tessar lens, has turned a simple tree stump into an enduring story, one that continues to inspire me to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
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