Best Nd Filters · head-to-head
PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density is cheaper at $139. Every spec and price links to its source.
PolarPro
—
Released 2022
vs Breakthrough Photography
$139
Released 2017
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) | Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density |
| US price | — | $139 |
| Brand | PolarPro | Breakthrough Photography |
| Released | 2022 | 2017 |
| Filter type | variable | fixed |
| Density range stops | 2 to 5 or 6 to 9 (two separate SKUs) | 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 49, 67, 77, 82, 95 | 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square |
| Coating | 16-layer anti-reflection / scratch-resistant coating | MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating |
| Color cast note | PolarPro markets Edition II as color-neutral "Cinema Series" glass across the stop range; no independent lab CCT deviation figure published | Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results |
| Front filter thread | No | Yes |
| Magnetic | No | No |
| Glass type | Cinema Series glass (8K-rated) | SCHOTT B270 optical glass |
Sources — PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II): polarpro.com (verified 2026-08-16).
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density: breakthrough.photography (verified 2026-08-16).
What's the difference between the PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) and Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Filter type: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) variable vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density fixed
- Density range stops: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) 2 to 5 or 6 to 9 (two separate SKUs) vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs)
- Common thread sizes (mm): PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) 49, 67, 77, 82, 95 vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square
- Coating: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) 16-layer anti-reflection / scratch-resistant coating vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating
- Color cast note: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) PolarPro markets Edition II as color-neutral "Cinema Series" glass across the stop range; no independent lab CCT deviation figure published vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results
- Front filter thread: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) false vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density true
- Glass type: PolarPro Peter McKinnon Signature Edition II Variable ND (PMVND Edition II) Cinema Series glass (8K-rated) vs Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density SCHOTT B270 optical glass