Rollei 250mm f/5.6 Sonnar (SL66) Lens Review

The Rollei 250mm f/5.6 Sonnar is a medium telephoto lens built exclusively for the Rollei SL66 medium format system. With a four-element, three-group optical formula and flare-resistant coatings, it delivers the classic Sonnar rendering prized by film shooters. The 8.2-foot minimum focusing distance and 18-degree angle of view make it suitable for portraiture, product work, and selective compositions where you need a tighter field of view than standard lenses provide.

At $188 for used copies in excellent or better-than-good condition from KEH, this is a specialty optic for owners of the SL66 system. The bayonet VI filter thread and SL66-only mount mean it's tied to a niche platform, but for those shooting that camera, it rounds out focal length coverage without breaking the bank. The Sonnar design has a longstanding reputation for sharpness and smooth bokeh, though chromatic aberration and mechanical precision will vary by copy and condition.