Kase’s 150mm f/5.6 Reflex Lens Is Here

credits: Kase

Kase’s new 150mm f/5.6 AF Reflex lens is now officially here, and it is a bit of an unusual one. It is a mirror (catadioptric) lens, which already makes it different from most modern lenses, but the bigger deal here is the fact that it actually has autofocus. That is something you almost never see with this type of design, especially at a relatively short focal length like 150mm.

On the inside, the lens uses a 5-element, 4-group optical design that combines mirrors with traditional glass elements. That is what allows it to stay much smaller and lighter than a typical 150mm telephoto. Like most mirror lenses, it has a fixed f/5.6 aperture, so there is no adjustable iris. The minimum focusing distance is 1.5 meters, and it comes with a 67mm filter thread, including support for magnetic filter systems. There is also a magnetic pinch lens cap, which can be used even with a hood attached.

In terms of build, the lens has an aluminium alloy body with a grooved focus ring. It also includes an AF/MF switch with manual override. As expected with this kind of design, it produces that classic “donut” bokeh, where out-of-focus highlights show up as bright rings with darker centres, some people love that, some don’t, but it definitely gives photos a more stylised/vintage look. The lens is available for Nikon Z, Sony E, Canon EF, and Fuji G mounts, although availability can vary depending on the system. Pricing is set at $649.