Head-to-head · Best ND Filter Kits

Hoya Variable Density II vs PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition 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 and PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II score essentially the same (4.6 vs 4.6). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

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 →

Ranked #3 in Best ND Filter Kits

PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II

4.6

$249.99as of Jun 7

The PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II is the best variable ND for video creators, combining class-leading image quality with tactile haptic stops you can feel without looking. PetaPixel named it the best variable ND filter, Shotkit rated it Highly Recommended with near-perfect category scores, and TechRadar called it 'pretty much flawless.' The premium price is the main barrier.

Strengths

— Pronounced haptic feedback at each stop for eyes-off adjustment
— Hard-stop system eliminates cross-polarization and vignetting
— Class-leading image quality with no major color shift

Watch-outs

— Expensive at around $250
— Occasional minor color inaccuracy correctable in white balance
— Each version covers only part of the range (need both for full span)

$249.99 · 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.

PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II

The PolarPro VND uses hard stops like the NiSi True Color ND-Vario but adds pronounced haptic feedback the NiSi lacks; its 2-5 stop range matches the NiSi and is narrower than the Hoya Variable Density II, and it is a variable rather than a fixed set like the Cokin Nuances Extreme.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hoya Variable Density II	PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II
Type	Variable ND (screw-in)	Variable ND (screw-in)
Range	ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stops)	2-5 stops (ND4-ND32)
Glass	Multi-coated optical glass	Fused quartz / Cinema glass
Frame	Slim, oversized front element	Brass / aluminum
Control	Screw-in knob	Hard stops + haptic feedback
Thread Sizes	52-82mm options	67-95mm options
Coating	Multi-coated	Multi-coated

← See the full ranking of best nd filter kits