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.
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Hoya
$88.9Cheaper
vs Freewell
$499.99
Released 2024
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.
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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 |
| 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) |
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 2026-08-16).
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)