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.

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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
BrandHoyaFreewell
Released2024
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)

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