Head-to-head · Best ND Filter Kits

Hoya Variable Density II vs NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano

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

NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about Professional videographers and photographers who prioritize color accuracy and repeatable stops — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #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 →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best ND Filter Kits

NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano

4.7

$213.5as of Jun 7

The NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano is the best variable ND for professionals, prized for class-leading color accuracy and hard stops that prevent the dreaded X-pattern. Digital Camera World named it 'the best variable ND for professional users,' Camera Jabber gave it 5/5, and Amateur Photographer praised its near-perfect color. The price and the narrower 1-5 stop range are the trade-offs.

Strengths

— Exceptional color accuracy thanks to True Color coating
— Hard stops at 1 and 5 stops prevent over-rotation and X-pattern
— Screw-in metal handle gives smooth, repeatable video density pulls

Watch-outs

— Among the more expensive variable ND filters
— Narrower 1-5 stop range than the Hoya's 1.5-9 stops
— Slight density unevenness beyond 4 stops on flat surfaces

$213.5 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano

The NiSi True Color ND-Vario uses hard stops at 1 and 5 stops like the PolarPro VND, giving more repeatable density than the continuous-rotation Hoya Variable Density II, but covers a narrower range than the Hoya and is not a fixed set like the Cokin Nuances Extreme.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hoya Variable Density II	NiSi True Color ND-Vario 1-5 Stop Pro Nano
Type	Variable ND (screw-in)	Variable ND (screw-in)
Range	ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stops)	1-5 stops (ND2-ND32)
Glass	Multi-coated optical glass	Ultra-clarity optical glass
Frame	Slim, oversized front element	—
Control	Screw-in knob	Screw-in metal handle, hard stops
Thread Sizes	52-82mm options	40.5-95mm options
Coating	Multi-coated	True Color, nano, waterproof
Material	—	Optical glass

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