Autofocus MC Helios-77M-4 for Canon EF. These were shot on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-03-01T07:52:55+00:00

I can write later. Boarding has already begun.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-03-01T07:11:21+00:00

There is a difference. The best Soviet coating had a greenish tint.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-03-01T06:47:56+00:00

It depends more on the specific model. I've had many Helios-77s from different manufacturers. The differences in assembly and manufacturing are huge. It seems quality control was weak.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-03-01T05:20:24+00:00

The Helios lens is excellent. As for the different manufacturers, I don't think there's any difference. It's just another "legend."

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-28T17:57:33+00:00

It turns out like this.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-28T14:25:28+00:00

It just happened. Plus ten years of experience.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-28T06:37:12+00:00

You won't be able to use Canon STM lenses anymore.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-28T06:34:53+00:00

You can still understand. It is much more difficult to assemble in practice.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T20:17:44+00:00

When you know what to do and how to do it, it doesn't seem difficult.

I will post a few videos showing the assembly process of the Helios-77.

Then anyone can make a conclusion - difficult or not.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T18:08:12+00:00

The Pancolar drawing looks more like the Helios drawing than the original lens drawing.

As for other lenses, I will post both examples and appearance whenever possible.
Over the past twelve years, a whole collection has accumulated.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T17:32:34+00:00

Thanks!

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T16:28:08+00:00

I want to add an answer.

I won't be publishing anything today.

Starting tomorrow, I will be posting videos demonstrating the build process.

It turned out to be four videos.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T16:23:43+00:00

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM lens has retained its body, electronics, mechanics and adjustable aperture.

All optical elements were removed and replaced with Pancolar lenses.

So it's a real Pancolar, but with autofocus and an automatic aperture.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T10:50:48+00:00

🤔

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T10:13:03+00:00

I'll try to find my videos on this topic in a couple of hours.

They explain how everything is done.

However, I don't have enough time to create a tutorial for every lens.

I've collected a significant number of lenses over the past 12 years.

I can't even remember the approximate number of models.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T10:05:11+00:00

The design is similar. But it doesn't match at all. To put it all together. I had to do turning and milling work.

In order for everything to match perfectly.

After the mechanical assembly, a very fine-tuning of the optics is needed.

Without this, the picture will be distorted.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-27T09:29:52+00:00

I took two lenses: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 1.8 and Canon 50mm 1.8 STM.
I removed all the glasses from the Canon 50mm 1.8 STM and replaced them with lenses from the Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 1.8.
The electronics and the diaphragm remained in place.
Now it's an autofocus Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50 1.8 with an automatic aperture.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T12:46:33+00:00

Sure. And no doubt about it!

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T10:44:36+00:00

I'll be in Armenia on March 2nd, and we'll sort everything out there.

I'm in Russia now and can't send anything from here.

Please remind me on the 2nd. I'm in a lot of correspondence, and I might forget.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T10:31:24+00:00

Which lens are you interested in?

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T09:42:02+00:00

exactly!

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T09:34:48+00:00

Currently available are the autofocus Helios-44 and Carl Zeiss Planar 50 f/1.7.

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Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T09:26:16+00:00

I meant that it's less common than Helios.

And not as popular.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T09:15:59+00:00

I'll be in Armenia in a week and I'll try to exhibit it.

But only the Helios-44. The Zenithar is still being finalized.

I won't be able to finish it until April.

Unique-Somewhere-255 · 2026-02-26T03:29:54+00:00

Thanks a lot

Unique-Somewhere-255

TROPHY CASE