Photography accessories are a great addition to your devices. For instance, some can help you get better images, such as an extender, a flash, or even a lens filter. Then, there are others that can enhance the look and feel of your device, like a camera cover or skin. Nikon Japan is bringing together the best of both with their latest Arcest II, a lens filter that offers protection, as well as style.
The images in the article are screenshots from Nikon’s website.
Nikon Lens Filter That is Shimmery
The first part is that the Arcest II is a gold edition of the existing filters, which makes the lens look like it has a gold ring. It is available only for 77mm, 82mm, and 95mm lens thread. The Nikon Arcest II, the company states (via Nikon Rumors), features a Zero-One AR Coat, which minimizes color disruption, ghosting, and flare. This also helps in shooting at night, such as during comatic aberration. It has been designed with high-quality optical glass, as seen in Nikon lenses, and is completely transparent. This way, your original image will not be affected.
Nikon also included a Flat Plane System as a protective filter, which secures the glass to the filter’s frame with an elastomer. This reduces the distortion of the glass by reducing stress. The filter is designed to withstand extreme departures and has also passed the 400G impact resistance test.
Some of its other features include an antistatic coating, which helps to protect the lens front against dust. It also features a water—and oil-repellent coating to make cleaning easier. Since the frame is thin at 3.4mm, you are likely to have low or zero vignetting with an ultra-wide lens. The Nikon filter is compatible with lens hoods and caps and is currently only available in Japan for about $105.
Is It Worth The Money?
Depends on what you are going for. Today, plenty of filters on the market can protect your lens without burning a hole in your pocket. For instance, B+W, Breakthru, and PolarPro have some great options to explore. However, if you are someone who stretches their budget for a certain look, then the Nikon filters can be your option.
When I first looked at the images, I was reminded of the older Nikon and Sigma lenses for the company that feature a golden line or rings around their lenses. However, back then, the names were also engaged in a gold color. So, if you want to make your mirrorless lenses look like the DSLR ones, and purely from a nostalgic perspective, then you certainly must go for it. Knowing that it is Nikon, the quality will certainly be durable.
As you can see in our torture test, one can’t truly differentiate between a filter and images shot without one on. However, they are good investments to protect your lens against accidental damage. So, purely for the sale of saving your lens, you should invest in one. If your filter is damaged, you can still utilize it to your advantage. It may not greatly affect your images unless you stop down and pixel peep. In fact, you can utilize it to capture a few creative images. For instance, you can use the scratches and apply a bit of glitter to get a shimmery effect. Your imagination is your limit.
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