# Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) (Hoya) and Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) (Freewell) among nd filters. Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) is the cheaper of the two at $88.9.

## Side by side

| Spec | Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) | Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $88.9 | $499.99 |
| Brand | Hoya | Freewell |
| Released | — | 2024 |
| Filter type | fixed | variable |
| Density range stops | 10 | 1 to 9 (two filters: 1-5 and 6-9, hybrid reversible with CPL/ND32-CPL) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 49-82 | 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings) |
| Coating | ACCU-ND multi-coating | multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant) |
| Color cast note | HOYA's ACCU-ND technology is designed to equally reduce visible and IR light to prevent the color shift seen on cheaper ND filters | Freewell markets a proprietary 'TRUE COLOR' coating process specifically to minimize the color shift common to other VNDs |
| Front filter thread | Yes | — |
| Magnetic | No | Yes |
| Glass type | clear optical glass, aluminum frame | optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name) |

## Key differences

- Filter type: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) fixed vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) variable
- Density range stops: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) 10 vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) 1 to 9 (two filters: 1-5 and 6-9, hybrid reversible with CPL/ND32-CPL)
- Common thread sizes (mm): Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) 49-82 vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings)
- Coating: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) ACCU-ND multi-coating vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant)
- Color cast note: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) HOYA's ACCU-ND technology is designed to equally reduce visible and IR light to prevent the color shift seen on cheaper ND filters vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) Freewell markets a proprietary 'TRUE COLOR' coating process specifically to minimize the color shift common to other VNDs
- Magnetic: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) No vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) Yes
- Glass type: Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) clear optical glass, aluminum frame vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name)

## Sources

- Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop): https://hoyafilter.com/product/prond-ex/ (hoyafilter.com, verified 2026-08-16)
- Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9): https://freewellgear.com/products/k2-versatile-magnetic-filter-system (freewellgear.com, verified 2026-08-16)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/nd-filters/hoya-prond-ex-1000-vs-freewell-k2-versatile-magnetic-vnd/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) ($88.9) vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) ($499.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/nd-filters/hoya-prond-ex-1000-vs-freewell-k2-versatile-magnetic-vnd/
License: CC BY 4.0.