Nikon ARCREST II Protection Filters Released

Lens Accessories

by Francesco AndreolaToday

Nikon has just released a new series of screw-on lens protection filters called ARCREST II. They are claimed to protect your lens without altering its optical performance, are available in different sizes ranging from 46mm up to 95mm, and are priced between $50 and $180.

While Nikon is well-known for the undisputed optical quality of their F mount and Z mount lenses, as well as that of their vintage AI-S series, which is pretty appealing to filmmakers, you may not know that the Japanese company also offers their own line of filters.

These include ND, circular polarizing, neutral clear, and soft focus filters, for example, as well as the new ARCREST II protection filters. Let’s have a look!

Nikon ARCREST II protection filters – features

Nikon’s new ARCREST II protection filters are available in 9 different sizes: 46/52/58/62/67/72/77/82/95mm. These filters have the sole purpose of protecting the front element of your lens, so they don’t introduce any effect, and, most importantly, they should not alter the optical performance of the lens.

Indeed, according to Nikon, the ARCREST II filters feature superior optical construction thanks to the use of the same high-quality glass and advanced coating technologies found on NIKKOR lenses. These include the multi-layer Zero-One AR coating, which should minimize reflections, flare, ghosting and facilitate the cleaning of water or oil residues, as well as an anti-static coating that should reduce the chance of dust and dirt adhering to the filter. Moreover, Nikon claims the ARCREST II filters don’t introduce any color cast.

The filters are mounted onto a thin 3.4mm (3.9mm on the 95mm version) matte-black anodized frame that shouldn’t cause any vignetting even when using wide-angle lenses. The design of the frame still ensures compatibility with the original lens cap and hood, and it has been improved to ensure perfect flatness across the glass regardless of the shooting environment.

Price and availability

The new Nikon ARCREST II Protection Filters are now available to pre-order on B&H. Pricing varies according to filter size:

• ARCREST II Protection Filter (46mm) – $49.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (52mm) – $54.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (58mm) – $59.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (62mm) – $69.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (67mm) – $79.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (72mm) – $89.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (77mm) – $99.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (82mm) – $149.95
• ARCREST II Protection Filter (95mm) – $179.95
  

For more information, please visit Nikon’s website here (Japanese only).

Do you normally use a filter to protect your lenses? Would you invest in a high-quality protection filter? Or do you think cheaper ones can do just fine? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!