WashDCLady

I must not have been clear. The MacroMate and the SubSee are external diopters that go on the outside of your housing. Results using either with a 100/105 macro lens are to my eye quite nice.  The 2 stop loss that I was talking about is from a 2x teleconverter that goes between your lens and your camera. I often use a 1.4 teleconverter but have never found a 2x tele that is usable with a 100 macro that I really like.  You might take a look through the pinned topic about getting more than 1:1 magnification for some other ideas.

Bill

Thanks for the quick reply!  You have cleared this up quite well for me.  I am leaning toward the external solution, rather than the teleconverter option primarily for the flexibility in my shooting options while diving as opposed to being "set" with what I will be shooting once I am in.

you have been very helpful; thanks again!!!

Donna

With the 100 macro the Macromate or the SubSee both can give you 2x magnification and the results are quite nice. Many of the macro shots on blueviews.net were shot with the Subsee and quality is quite good. The problem with the 2x tele is that you lose 2 full stops and autofocus becomes less nice. Often if i am shooting very small stuff, I will put a 1.4 tele on the 100 and add the subsee but DOF gets mighty small.

Don't forget that with the Xti, you had an apparent 1.6 magnification but the lens was still shooting 1:1.
Bill

Thanks, Bill; so if I understand you correctly, you have used the macromate and, aside from the loss of 2 F Stops (which I assume would happen with either solution?) and autofocus becoming a challenge, you were happy with the results?

Cheers,

Donna