NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex

Focal length: 250 mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Weight: –
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Min. focus distance: 200 cm
Length: –

Overview

The NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex is a manual focus mirror telephoto lens for full frame cameras. It is made for Sony E, Canon RF, Canon EF, Nikon Z, Nikon F, Fujifilm X and Fujifilm G, and NiSi also lists a Hasselblad XCD version. NiSi presented it in June 2024.

Optical design

A reflex lens folds the light path with mirrors, so a long focal length fits into a short barrel. NiSi lists 6 elements in 3 groups, an angle of view of 9.7 degrees and a maximum magnification of 0.14x. The aperture is fixed at f/5.6, so there is no diaphragm and exposure is controlled with shutter speed, ISO and, if needed, neutral density filters. NiSi markets the lens with a ring-shaped out-of-focus rendering and a double-line effect for background details.

Focusing and handling

The lens is fully manual with no electronic contacts. The focus ring turns through 270 degrees, and the minimum focus distance is 2 m. A 62 mm filter thread is on the front.

Build and size

Compactness is the usual reason to choose a mirror lens over a conventional 250mm telephoto.

Where it fits

Mirror lenses in the database include the Samyang / Rokinon Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS and the Tokina SZX Super Tele 400mm F8 Reflex MF. The TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3 offers more reach at a similar aperture. The NiSi stands out for its shorter 250mm focal length and for being offered for so many current mounts, including GFX.

Pros and cons

Pros

Compact for a 250mm telephoto lens
Offered for seven current mounts in this database
Ring-shaped out-of-focus highlights for a distinct look
62 mm filter thread

Cons

Fixed f/5.6 aperture, so no depth of field control
Manual focus only, with 2 m minimum focus distance
No image stabilization in the lens

Verdict

The NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex is a small telephoto for photographers who want a distinct look and a light bag more than aperture control. It rewards patient manual focusing.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 250 mm
max focal length: 250 mm
max f (min zoom): f/5.6
max f (max zoom): f/5.6
min. aperture: f/5.6
Elements: 6
Groups: 3
Weight: –
Filter diameter: 62 mm
min focus distance: 200 cm (78.74 in)
Length: –
Diameter: –

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex fit?

The NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex is a full-frame lens for Canon EF cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Canon EF cameras its field of view equals 400 mm in full-frame terms.

Canon EF cameras

Full frame:: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon EOS 6D Mark II, Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon EOS 5Ds, Canon EOS 5Ds R, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EOS 6D, Canon EOS-1D C, Canon EOS-1D X, Canon EOS 5D Mark II
APS-C:: Canon EOS 850D (Rebel T8i), Canon EOS 90D, Canon EOS 250D (Rebel SL3), Canon EOS 4000D (3000D, Rebel T100), Canon EOS 2000D (1500D, Rebel T7), Canon EOS 800D (Rebel T7i), Canon EOS 77D, Canon EOS 200D (Rebel SL2), Canon EOS 80D, Canon EOS 1300D (Rebel T6), Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i), Canon EOS 760D (Rebel T6s), Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Canon EOS 1200D (Rebel T5), Canon EOS 70D, Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i), Canon EOS 100D (Rebel SL1), Canon EOS 650D (Rebel T4i), Canon EOS 60Da, Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i), Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3), Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i), Canon EOS 60D, Canon EOS 7D, Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i), Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi), Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel XS)

With the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R the lens can also be used on Canon RF cameras.

With the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M the lens can also be used on Canon EF-M cameras.