need update to download filters??

no, you wont be forced to buy 3. the update it's asking for will be an update of FF2 and shld be free. but, i'm also not an employee of filter forge, so you shld still get a confirmation of that from one of them.

the way it has always worked in the past is that the MAJOR versions, like 1.xx, 2.xx, 3.xx you pay for, but the MINOR updates to a major version are always free. so, 1.00 costs you, but 1.01 doesnt, nor does 1.02 or 1.03 and so on. and anytime a version quits working because it says there's an update, it's always been a minor version update and thus free.

and i've been here since version 1.00 so i know what i'm talking about

Kraellin is right.

If you accept the update for FF2, it will be ok for downloadind FF2 filters. It is happened to me last week, they asked me twice (into 3 days) for an update. By accepting the update (FF2 update but not an upgrade for FF3) you will be able to download filters.