NiSi 250mm f/5.6 Reflex

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.