The high resolution, single site fluorescence and absorption spectra of zinc and magnesium chlorin in n-octane matrixes at 7 K are reported. Both the Q and Soret band regions have been investigated; The vibrational frequencies of the ground and four lowest energy pi pi* singlet excited states were determined from fluorescence and excitation spectra, respectively. The fluorescence and Q(y) region spectra are similar, having intense, narrow origin bands followed by relatively weak but orderly vibrational structure. The Q(x) regions of these two metal chlorins do not have clear origins and exhibit complex vibrational structure which increases in intensity going to higher energy. In the Soret regions, the individual pi pi* origins are clearly identifiable and some Vibrational structure is also observed.