Looking to add to the equipment collection and considering either the SMC-3 or MFO-1 (already have the MFO-3!). I know they are designed for different uses, but from your own experience, is one or the other more useful. For macro, I have the Sony 90mm (on A7C) and have CMC-1 and 2 for use with the kit 28-60mm lens (and they work great), but at times getting a little more magnification on the 90mm without a TC would be nice. Otherwise, having extra depth of field and less hunting on the lens make the MFO-1 a good option. Couldn't find a good thread for both of these lens, so I'm just looking for opinions.

It depends on how small a subject you find and want to photograph, the MFO-1 reduces the frame covered from 36mm wide to 30mm wide providing 1.2x magnification. The SMC-3 gets 2.3x with the frame being 15.5mm across with 47mm working distance. The SMC3 focuses between 47 and 103mm and I expect it won't give you any overlap with the MFO-1 range.

For me I would also factor in how often I find these things, if it's once on the entire dive trip maybe a better solution for this one critter is to crop?

Thanks Chris, cropping has generally been the practice so far and looking at the general utility. Here in Seattle and our Pacific Northwest, we have our share of the macro critters but there may be more utility in the MFO-1 on a regular basis.

3 minutes ago, RVBldr said:

Thanks Chris, cropping has generally been the practice so far and looking at the general utility. Here in Seattle and our Pacific Northwest, we have our share of the macro critters but there may be more utility in the MFO-1 on a regular basis.

Here are two photos from the same dive this last week. I used the MFO-1 and Subsee +10, which is similar to the SMC-3. (2.2x at 105mm) I use the MFO-1 90% of time. The SMC-3/+10 is ONLY useful for super close up tiny subjects.

MFO-1:

Diamond Back Nudibranch (Tritonia festiva) about 8cm long

Subsee +10:

Seaspider with eggs. Body is maybe 1 to 1.5 cm across.

Edited 23 hours ago23 hr by Dave_Hicks

3 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Here are two photos from the same dive this last week. I used the MFO-1 and Subsee +10, which is similar to the SMC-3. (2.2x at 105mm) I use the MFO-1 90% of time. The SMC-3/+10 is ONLY useful for super close up tiny subjects.

Thanks Dave, that's what I was looking for and aligns with my thoughts as well! Where'd you find the sea spider?

58 minutes ago, RVBldr said:

Thanks Dave, that's what I was looking for and aligns with my thoughts as well! Where'd you find the sea spider?

They are all over the place at Alki Junkyard. I am not good at spotting them, but my buddy was!