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An Attempt at Homemade Photosniper
I would guess that the reason it was never finished was the incorrect execution of the squeeze-type focusing: when pressed it applies uneven pressure on the sliding PVC pipes that makes it very hard to actually slide in and out.
There is a lens element halfway inside the pipe. The Helios-44 lens was mounted afterward to demonstrate how lens would be attached to the assembly.
Collection of Vladislav Kern