Is this the result of a flipped element, or haze? TLR

[Kirks518]

The lens is a Mamiya 180mm 4.5 for the TLR system. I bought it cheap, knowing it has haze in both lenses. It seems most of the Mamiya TLR lenses are hazed, so I didn't want to spend much, and I can deal with loss of contrast.

So I haven't used the lens, but I was running some focus tests on the 3 lenses I have for my C220 (55mm, 80mm, 180mm), and noticed the severe distortion on the 180mm (see pic). The 180 is the older chrome one, not the super, and is a 4 element design. While the lens has haze, it has less then my 55mm, and I don't get any distortion from it, but I'm not ruling haze out yet.

So would this, or could this be a flipped element? The 2nd element from the rear is concave on both sides, but not identical on both sides, so I could see this one possibly having gotten flipped.

Ironically, this lens had (IMO), the best center focus of the three...

 

[gone]

It sure ain't haze. Looks like classic flipped element to me (or you accidentally posted a Holga photo). I like the look very much.

 

[Kirks518]

LOL. I kind of like it too, and can see times when it would be appealing. But, I'd rather have a proper lens, and if I want that look, I know how to get it.

I'm going to flip the suspected element, and check how it looks on the film plane with a ground glass. There are really only two elements that could have been flipped, so I don't think it should be difficult to correct.

I have a fun day ahead of me.

 

[ic-racer]

You might want to keep it like that and just get a newer 180 in the future. I was doing some stuff like that a few years ago by using the accessory wide angle viewing lens as the taking lens on a Yashica TLR.

 

[Fixcinater]

This might be the best way yet invented to get a tele-Holga.

You can also hold the lens an appropriate distance away from a piece of paper with a window or light fixture and compare the images given by each lens. Of course, that's assuming the taking lens is the only one that has a flipped element. I had this exact lens, during cleaning up the haze I lost track of one of the elements' direction so had to compare.

 

[Kirks518]

Well, it was the second front last element that was flipped. I suspected it would be. Easy fix, and I was able to confirm the repair by using a makeshift ground glass at the film plane:

It's a section of unexposed developed film about 20cm long, taped to two spools, and inserted like a roll of film. Worked great!

 

[Fixcinater]

Easy fixes are the best!