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 Nikon F-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Nikon F-Mount cameras its field of view equals 375 mm in full-frame terms.

Nikon F-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Nikon D6, Nikon D780, Nikon D850, Nikon D5, Nikon D810A, Nikon D4S, Nikon D810, Nikon D750, Nikon Df, Nikon D610, Nikon D4, Nikon D800, Nikon D800E, Nikon D600, Nikon D3S, Nikon D3X, Nikon D700
APS-C:: Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500, Nikon D500, Nikon D3400, Nikon D5600, Nikon D5500, Nikon D7200, Nikon D3300, Nikon D7100, Nikon D5300, Nikon D3200, Nikon D5200, Nikon D5100, Nikon D7000, Nikon D3100, Nikon D300S, Nikon D5000, Nikon D3000, Nikon D90, Nikon D60

With the Nikon FTZ II / FTZ the lens can also be used on Nikon Z (DX/FX) cameras.