Don't know if everyone has seen this or not.

I was browsing Backscatter's (www.backscatter.com) website and ran across what looks like an AWESOME diopter for super-macro:

Backscatter Website Link

Here's a pic, hotlinked courtesy of the Backscatter site:



It's an achromat diopter meaning - excellent image quality. Looks like it's compatible w/ Subal and Sea and Sea, Seacam, and Aquatica.

Cheers
James

I've used one of these and they are excellent. Nice to switch a 105mm to 2:1 when you need. They are available for LMI video ports as well, and provide 3:2 with the standard port. Give yourself some lead time to get one, however. They don't stock many of these, and it takes some time to get them.

Very nice, but the things are US$499. Ouch! :x

Nexus also sell "woody's diopter" which is the same but of simpler contruction - they make it in different widths to fit compact ports - I use one on my Sea and Sea ports, with the 105 I get about 30/40% more magnification.

Good thing about is only cost me about 70 US new.

There's a big difference between the woody diopter and the macro-mate. The woody diopter provides 20% more magnification. The macro-mate provides 100%. I have two of the woody diopters for different setups, and the macro-mate is a big step up.

Woody's diopters are not achromat, either, and they are inexpensive enough that you can afford to replace them occasionally. By virtue of the way they are used they can take a beating. As with all diopters, claiming a certain magnification, like 2x, is inappropriate. Diopters are not teleconverters, they simply modify focusing range (and reduce focal length). With most all lenses being varifocal, the resultant effect is complex, but the basic truth is that they let you get closer and subsequently bigger. If this diopter cuts the minimum focusing distance in half for the 105mm then it's pretty powerful for a wetmount. I wouldn't mind trying one if they made one for the Nexus port.