Best Nd Filters · head-to-head

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

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) is cheaper at $88.9. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) or Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) is the cheaper at $88.9.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.

Full spec sheet

✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

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
BrandHoyaFreewell
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)

Sources — Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop): hoyafilter.com (verified 2026-08-16). Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9): freewellgear.com (verified 2026-09-27).

What's the difference between the Hoya ProND EX 1000 (ND 3.0, 10-Stop) and Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • 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) false vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) true
  • 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)

← All nd filters compared · Open data