Head-to-head · Best ND Filter Kits

Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Smart Kit vs Hoya Variable Density II

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Hoya Variable Density II comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Photographers and videographers who want one do-it-all variable ND covering the widest range — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best ND Filter Kits

Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Smart Kit

4.5

$399.99as of Jun 7

The Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Smart Kit is the best fixed-filter ND kit, a square 100mm system bundling solid and graduated NDs in tempered, drop-resistant glass. Digital Camera World gave the Nuances Extreme ND1024 a full 5 stars for its neutrality, Amateur Photographer praised the NX-Series kit as 'a very strong case in high-quality 100mm filter systems,' and PetaPixel rated Cokin's Nuances Extreme its best affordable ND system.

Strengths

— True fixed-stop kit with discrete, guaranteed-neutral densities
— Tempered mineral glass 4x stronger than the previous series
— Exceptional color neutrality with no shift between densities

Watch-outs

— Requires a holder and adapter rings, adding cost and bulk
— Square system is slower to deploy than a screw-in variable ND
— Total system cost adds up versus a single variable filter

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best ND Filter Kits

Hoya Variable Density II

4.6

$161.29as of Jun 7

The Hoya Variable Density II is the best all-round ND filter kit-in-one, replacing a bag of fixed filters with a single ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stop) variable. Digital Camera World made it its favorite variable ND overall, praising 'negligible impact on sharpness, contrast and color rendition,' and a multi-filter comparison favored the Hoya for the least color shift. The only catch is the usual variable-ND 'X' pattern at maximum.

Strengths

— Generous ND3-ND400 range covers 1.5 to 9 stops in one filter
— Negligible impact on sharpness, contrast and color through the range
— Oversized front element reduces vignetting on wide lenses

Watch-outs

— Cross-polarization 'X' pattern appears at the maximum setting
— Slight blue cast at the very top of the range (pull back a stop)
— Variable ND, so not a true fixed-stop set for critical long exposures

$161.29 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Smart Kit

The Cokin Nuances Extreme is the only fixed-stop kit here, delivering guaranteed-neutral discrete densities where the Hoya Variable Density II, NiSi True Color ND-Vario, PolarPro VND and K&F Nano-X are all continuous variable filters; its square system trades quick deployment for ultimate neutrality.

Hoya Variable Density II

The Hoya Variable Density II covers a wider range (1.5-9 stops) than the NiSi True Color ND-Vario (1-5 stops) or PolarPro VND (2-5 stops), and unlike the fixed Cokin Nuances Extreme kit it does it all in a single screw-in filter rather than a set.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Smart Kit	Hoya Variable Density II
Type	Fixed ND kit (square 100mm)	Variable ND (screw-in)
Includes	ND1024 (10-stop) + Soft Grad 8 + Reverse Grad 4	—
Stops	10-stop solid + 3-stop & 2-stop grads	—
Material	Tempered mineral glass (4x stronger)	—
System	L (Z-Pro) 100mm holder	—
Coating	Uniform-density anti-reflection	Multi-coated
Thread Sizes	Holder + adapter rings	52-82mm options
Range	—	ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stops)
Glass	—	Multi-coated optical glass
Frame	—	Slim, oversized front element
Control	—	Screw-in knob

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