wrote:

[ Steven is discussing "haze" or foggy appearance in the image]

Steven, please consider shining a small, bright light (A Mini-mag will do)
through the lens. Is fungus, dust or a film evident? I would be very
surprised if there were no haze in there.

2) Would using B&W film eliminate this problem?

Yes, actually, it might help diminish an overall hazy cast if you
underexpose and overdevelop. In fact, such was the practice at one time to
help diminish profound shperical aberation typical of cheap lenses.

3) Believe it or not the camera has provision for behind the lens
filters. Would behind the lens filters perform better than placing them
up front, and consider that these are uncoated lenses?

It is a good idea to put the filters behind the lens to avoid flare, but the
filter has to be very clean; the closer it is to the film, the more
significant the effect of dust and haze.