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GL Optics vs. Duclos 11-16mm 2.8

T

Tre Robinson

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Has anyone had any experience with both of these lenses? And if so, which would you personally prefer. I'm looking to buy an 11-16mm PL Mount version of this lens and would like to get the most for my 3K+.
 
Is this the same exact optics as the Tokina 11-16mm?

Just re-housed and de-clicked?
 
I think it's Re-Housed with the same optics... This is actually a really good question. I have the GL Optics 11-16mm and I love it. Very smooth rings, built like a tank. I'm extremely happy with it. GREAT job G.L Nan NEXT is my 100mm Macro and I'm done... MAYBE. Hahaha.
 
I have the Duclos Tokina ver. 2 11-16. Matthew does refine the optics. I know that axial adjustment of the elements, back and front focus, zoom tracking and and adjustments of the optics, to avoid image shift, as a result, were selling points to me. Haven't seen any complaints on these fronts-only endorsements.

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Eric Santiago said:
Is this the same exact optics as the Tokina 11-16mm?

Just re-housed and de-clicked?
Click to expand...

Correct.
And one more thing: I correct the optical element to make sure it will hold on the focus when you zoom it:)
 
I have used both lenses. The Duclose build is a bit better but optically no difference... hope this helps
 
Nelson Carayannis said:
I have used both lenses. The Duclose build is a bit better but optically no difference... hope this helps
Click to expand...
Hey Nelson (and anyone else on this thread), have you used a matte box with either/or Gl Optics or Duclos 11-16mm lenses? If so, what model did you use that was wide enough not to cause vignetting? Thanks.
 
Tre Robinson said:
Has anyone had any experience with both of these lenses? And if so, which would you personally prefer. I'm looking to buy an 11-16mm PL Mount version of this lens and would like to get the most for my 3K+.
Click to expand...


Hi Tre...

God bless duclos.

Let me also say that we www.CinemaGlass.com now do the 11-20mm tokina

beyond that, the main diff is that...

The duclos version is PL mounted and hooded 11-16 with all the stock internals. it is indeed lighter weight then our version. So if you intend to put it on a an RC chopper and weight for example is a concern it would be the way to go. Ours is a little different in that we pull all the elements, focus and iris system out and put it in a new aluminum home. esthetically your talkin about a full metal jacket vs a hood, gear and PL mount. we also collimate them much like ducos probably does so they are parfocul...

basically the same lens other then that. accept again that we now do the 11-20 instead.
 
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Buyer Beware:

As a rental house that has owned GL Optics as well as AllStar lenses, I can say that we will never buy offshore rehoused Cine lenses again for rental inventory. Parts and service are non-existent domestically. Even sending the lenses back to Asia does not guarantee successful repair.

Case in point, we had a GL Optics 18-35 dropped by an AC and sent the lens to China, a long process. When it finally arrived and was inspected, the response by GL Optics was to buy a new lens. No elements were broken or cracked. Turns out that Sigma does not sell parts in China. This would have been good information to know prior to shipping.

A fellow DP has the original GL Optics 70-200, a big, heavy Canon rehouse. It is literally falling apart in normal use. Again, no ability to have it serviced parts wise, domestically.

Bottom line, there is no comparison buying an offshore Cine rehoused lens vs. a Duclos rehouse from a service perspective. Yes, a domestic lens repair facility, such as Duclos Lenses, might be willing to repair an offshore rehoused lens, but this would assume parts being available in the US. This was not the case when we tried to have our GL Optics lens repaired.
 
Duclos does some optical adjustments that tune the lens and also they reject any poor performers that are unfit for modification.

Duclos has a better flare control at the rear and a smaller 80mm front. This is nice when you want to get the lens right at table level for shots with small objects in foreground.

If you ever have any problem with the Duclos lens they can fix it - I've had some normal wear and tear troubles with a rehoused 18-35 and have not been able to get it worked on.
Ooops there goes $4500 !

Choice is clear to me... Duclos and no regrets !

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
vimeo.com/mattuhry
 
Matt Uhry said:
Duclos does some optical adjustments that tune the lens and also they reject any poor performers that are unfit for modification.

Duclos has a better flare control at the rear and a smaller 80mm front. This is nice when you want to get the lens right at table level for shots with small objects in foreground.

If you ever have any problem with the Duclos lens they can fix it - I've had some normal wear and tear troubles with a rehoused 18-35 and have not been able to get it worked on.
Ooops there goes $4500 !

Choice is clear to me... Duclos and no regrets !

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
vimeo.com/mattuhry
Click to expand...


Jeff R said:
Buyer Beware:

As a rental house that has owned GL Optics as well as AllStar lenses, I can say that we will never buy offshore rehoused Cine lenses again for rental inventory. Parts and service are non-existent domestically. Even sending the lenses back to Asia does not guarantee successful repair.

Case in point, we had a GL Optics 18-35 dropped by an AC and sent the lens to China, a long process. When it finally arrived and was inspected, the response by GL Optics was to buy a new lens. No elements were broken or cracked. Turns out that Sigma does not sell parts in China. This would have been good information to know prior to shipping.

A fellow DP has the original GL Optics 70-200, a big, heavy Canon rehouse. It is literally falling apart in normal use. Again, no ability to have it serviced parts wise, domestically.

Bottom line, there is no comparison buying an offshore Cine rehoused lens vs. a Duclos rehouse from a service perspective. Yes, a domestic lens repair facility, such as Duclos Lenses, might be willing to repair an offshore rehoused lens, but this would assume parts being available in the US. This was not the case when we tried to have our GL Optics lens repaired.
Click to expand...

Sorry about your trouble. Glad to say, we have service here in LA now.

I assure you if you come back to www.CinemaGlass.com with any of your problems I will get you sorted right here "onshore" ;)

-Avi Cohen
www.CinemaGlass.com
www.WhiteRevolver.com
www.Vimeo.com/AviCohen
 
I have the Duclos version and paid a premium for it, because I thought I had to have it. At the time they were seriously backlogged and a clever reduser sold me his one for more than retail. Again I thought I needed it. Truth be told, I only used it on two underwater shoots and its sat in its little storm case ever since. I think its a great little lens and might have to revisit it sometime soon.
Obviously Duclos has a great reputation and at the time of my lens being put together (or taken apart) they were hand picking them for best copies so I guess that is something to value.
naturally the focus, zoom and iris gearing is second to none and smooth but I think while inside my water housing my gearing didnt line up perfectly and so the sleeve where the lens gear is for focus had slipped down a couple of mm and not a big deal at all.

I think both of these guys will give you a great product and I would assume pricing is competitive so I guess see what delivery times are like and go from there.
 
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