[LargeFormat] Why are some Wollensak lenses printed backwards?

[Brock Nanson]

It's actually pretty simple.  Like the Rolex's you can buy in Hong Kong 
for $5 (and Rolex won't fix under warranty ;-), this lense is actually a 
clever knock-off.  The reverse writing keeps those selling them out of 
court, at least that's my understanding.  When you get the lens, try 
giving it a gentle polishing with a wet rag.  If the lens melts, you will 
have confirmation that this one is actually a fake.  The glass is actually 
sugar and I believe the body is made of toilet paper rolls.  Evidently 
they perform reasonably well, but don't stand up in the rain...

Brock

On Thu, 24 Apr 2003, Tim Atherton wrote:

> Okay, a trivia question (to which I do not know that answer...).
> 
> Why do some Wollensak lenses apparently have the writing around the front of
> the lens barrel printed in reverse - that is, a mirror image, so the writing
> is all back to front?
> 
> I just bought one of these off ebay - a 15" f10 Apo Raptar. And no, it's not
> a Photoshop accident - check out the second image. I vaguely remembered
> seeing this before - I think it is in Steve Simmons LF book - 4 lenses in
> one photo, and the Wollensak has the writing on the front (nowhere else on
> it) mirrored... weird huh?
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/a8hq
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/a8hm
> 
> 
> tim
> 
> 
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-- 
Brock Nanson
Kamloops BC Canada