Sony E Autofocus

Kase AF 150mm F5.6 Reflex

Focal length: 150 mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Weight: –
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Min. focus distance: 150 cm
Length: –

Overview

The Kase AF 150mm F5.6 Reflex is an autofocus mirror lens for full frame cameras. Kase describes it as the first mirror telephoto lens with autofocus. It is offered for Nikon Z, Sony E, Canon EF and Fujifilm G. As with other reflex lenses, it uses a catadioptric design that folds the light path, which keeps a 150 mm lens short, and it is known for its ring-shaped "donut" bokeh. Kase says it is the shortest 150 mm lens on the market.

Optical design

The optical design has 5 elements in 4 groups. Because it is a mirror lens, the aperture is fixed at f/5.6 and there is no adjustable iris. The closest focus distance is 1.5 m. A 67 mm filter thread is fitted, and the front also takes Kase's magnetic filters through a magnetic front ring. The format is full frame.

Autofocus and handling

The lens is a native autofocus design with an AF/MF switch on the barrel and a grooved focus ring for manual adjustment. A USB-C port inside the barrel allows firmware updates. Kase notes that a magnetic pinch lens cap can stay on even when the hood is attached, so the lens is ready to use quickly. There is no image stabilization in the lens.

Build and size

The body is made of aluminium alloy, as stated by Kase. Kase emphasises that the lens is compact and meant for handheld shooting.

Where it fits

Within Kase's own range, the 200mm F5.6 MC Reflex is the manual focus relative with a longer focal length. Other mirror lenses in the database are the Samyang / Rokinon Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS, the Tokina SZX Super Tele 400mm F8 Reflex MF and the TTArtisan 500mm f/6.3, all manual focus designs with longer focal lengths. The 150 mm focal length makes the Kase a shorter and more usable telephoto in comparison.

Pros and cons

Pros

Autofocus in a mirror lens
Compact telephoto with the distinctive donut bokeh
67 mm thread plus magnetic filter ring
USB-C firmware updates
Offered for four mounts, including Fujifilm G

Cons

Fixed f/5.6 aperture
Minimum focus distance of 1.5 m
No image stabilization

Verdict

The Kase AF 150mm F5.6 Reflex is a creative telephoto for photographers who want the look of a mirror lens without manual focusing. It remains a niche lens with a fixed aperture, and its appeal is the combination of compact size and autofocus.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 150 mm
max focal length: 150 mm
max f (min zoom): f/5.6
max f (max zoom): f/5.6
min. aperture: f/5.6
Elements: 5
Groups: 4
Weight: –
Filter diameter: 67 mm
min focus distance: 150 cm (59.06 in)
Length: –
Diameter: –

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Kase AF 150mm F5.6 Reflex fit?

The Kase AF 150mm F5.6 Reflex is a full-frame lens for Sony E-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Sony E-Mount cameras its field of view equals 225 mm in full-frame terms.

Sony E-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Sony A7R VI, Sony A7 V, Sony FX2, Sony A1 II, Sony A9 III, Sony A7C II, Sony A7CR, Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V, Sony A7 IV, Sony A1, Sony FX3, Sony A7S III, Sony A7C, Sony FX6, Sony A7R IV, Sony A9 II, Sony FX9, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III, Sony A9, Sony A7R II, Sony A7S II, Sony A7 II, Sony A7S, Sony A7, Sony A7R
APS-C:: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700, Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10, Sony A6600, Sony A6100, Sony A6400, Sony A6500, Sony A6300, Sony A6000, Sony A5100, Sony A5000, Sony A3000, Sony NEX-5T, Sony NEX-3N, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-F3