Best Nd Filters · head-to-head
NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) is cheaper at $245. Every spec and price links to its source.
NiSi
$245Cheaper
Released 2023
vs Freewell
$499.99
Released 2024
Which is better: the NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) or Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) is the cheaper at $245.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) | Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) |
| US price | $245 | $499.99 |
| Brand | NiSi | Freewell |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Filter type | variable | variable |
| Density range stops | 1 to 5 (ND2-ND32) | 1 to 9 (two filters: 1-5 and 6-9, hybrid reversible with CPL/ND32-CPL) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 40.5-105 | 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings) |
| Coating | NiSi Nano Coating (waterproof, anti-reflective, smudge-proof) | multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant) |
| Color cast note | Marketed as "True Color" - engineered to avoid the blue/magenta color shift typical of variable 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 | high-definition optical glass | optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name) |
Sources — NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop): nisiopticsusa.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 NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) and Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Density range stops: NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) 1 to 5 (ND2-ND32) 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): NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) 40.5-105 vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings)
- Coating: NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) NiSi Nano Coating (waterproof, anti-reflective, smudge-proof) vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant)
- Color cast note: NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) Marketed as "True Color" - engineered to avoid the blue/magenta color shift typical of variable 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: NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) false vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) true
- Glass type: NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) high-definition optical glass vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name)