Why are some Canon lenes white?

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Brian Ardrey
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I've been a Canon Man for over 30 years now and my thing is street photography. In this type of photography I find it preferable to be discrete.

How I'm going to manage this now as I've bought a lovely big70mm - 200mm f2.8L in bright white I just don't know.

This business with white lenses almost made me turn to the obviously hugly inferior and far less sexy Nikon brand!!! It's OK, I'm only joking. But I realy very nearly did switch brand because of this white lens business.

Why on earth do Canon do this? What's wrong with a nice black lens like everybody else builds? Any ideas anyone?
 
Apparantly its to avoid the heat being absorbed in the sun. Whilst this may well have an effect, I think it's more realistic that they have done it to so people know the brand.
 
I've heard it's so they don't overheat in the sun, but I think it's just a superiority complex on the part of the owner ;)
 
Not sure I go with the sun thing, but hey, Canon know a lot more about lenses than me.
 
They claim its because white reflects light/heat whereas black absorbs it and it contributes to superior IQ.

I think its more to do with marketing and seeing how many white lenses you can see at sporting/press events.

I think some Nikon lenses are available in either black or white.
 
Well the Canon version goes...

L lenses use some elements made of highly expensive flourite glass which is more sensitive to temperature change. :shrug:
 
I'll stop prefering black lenses when they make one in a darker colour!
 
It seems weird to me to think that a photographer would want to attract attention to himself and if he did surely he could just wear a hi-vis jacket?
 
This is why - spot the Nikon shooter

152386454_fa67e5da89.jpg


It's a marketing exercise.
 
The lens are white so Canon users know which way to point them :D
 
It's so us Canon users can show off!!:D
 
It'd better be something to do with heat expansion, or you've all been running about looking like idjuts for nothing.
Personally, they look bladdy awfull, and its a better idea to blend in these day, m'thinks
 
joxby said:
It'd better be something to do with heat expansion, or you've all been running about looking like idjuts for nothing.
Personally, they look bladdy awfull, and its a better idea to blend in these day, m'thinks
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I agree, but what can you do?

I suppose I will blend in if I go and photograph the icy artic tundra or if I lend my camera to a Polar Bear or something!
 
Black insulting tape, the more insulting the better:D

I dunno, they are having a laugh though.
I have seen some BIG Nikon teles with white banding, I suspect it is actually to reflect heat....in the desert...or something, and not just a gimick gone stupids.
I dunno why they just don't make sleeves, pick your own colour, camo, grey, stardust silver,.........magnolia:suspect:.

candy pink with fluffy tassels

ere, maybe that will be the next gimick, stop your lens shrinking in the cold with a stripey lens sock:D
 
Nikon make white lenses, they are a bit more grey though.

I personally think the lenses look pretty good in white :D

Just got a 70-200 f/2.8 myself :)
 
It is definately for heat reflection. Glass is actually a super cool liquid, to ensure the quality of L series lenses,the elements have to be as thin as possible, thus making them slightly more unstable in extreme heat conditions. Some manufacturers will put white (or silver) bands around the thinnest of their elements to reflect heat.
Dean:)
 
If i remember correctly (and I can't find the manual right now to quote chapter and verse), my 180L macro has two infinity focus points. One marked with the infinity symbol and the other marked "L". The actual location of infinity focus moves between the two points depending upon the temperature of the lens.

The 180L happens to be the longest black canon lens.

Andrew
 
They do look the part though. The amount of times people assume I am a professional photographer just carrying around my gear at events amazes me and I don't even have any white lenses can't wait till I get my hands on one.
 
WeddingHack said:
This is why - spot the Nikon shooter

152386454_fa67e5da89.jpg


It's a marketing exercise.
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The nikon shooter is the one taking that shot, just to show how sheep-like the canon shooters are all standing in the same place getting the same shot :lol:

:nikon:
 
A buff does the job at a lot cheaper price, it does'nt have the foam protection but it covers the white, I use them all the time, I have a choice of camo one's for my 500mm and others for my shorter L lenses, I use the E1 strap and attach the buff with a safety pin (which can't be seen) always get asked where I get them from, Blacks outdoor or any good outdoor retailer will know of them :thumbs:

As an alternative to Lens coats try www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk for a cheaper version and much more besides.

But yes I'm with the reflection of heat gang:wave:


LadyLens said:
You can actually buy sleeves for them anyway, to cover that horribly pretentious wannabe whiteness of those nasty canon lenses :naughty:
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its so canon users can show off expensive lenses. Originally it was due to human rights, thieves protested to canon that they could not distinguish the difference between cheap or expensive lenses. Canon not willing to be sued changed colour to white thus resolving the problem... BIG WHITE = steal me :lol:
 
icecavern said:
The nikon shooter is the one taking that shot, just to show how sheep-like the canon shooters are all standing in the same place getting the same shot :lol:

:nikon:
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It's a foul plot to muck up the exposure settings for Nikon users, that's why you find them in clumps in order to dazzle us.;)

Goes and hides in the middle with his grey Nikkor 300mm:D
 
LadyLens said:
You can actually buy sleeves for them anyway, to cover that horribly pretentious wannabe whiteness of those nasty canon lenses :naughty:
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I think you might find old chap, that a white Canon lens is no wanabe. It is the real mcCoy and athough they're flippin' ugly, they are the dogs danglies of lenses.

Most lenses from the top makers are pretty good these days, but Canon does have the edge I feel. Particualry when it comes to focus speed and accuracy.
 
gaffer said:
If i remember correctly (and I can't find the manual right now to quote chapter and verse), my 180L macro has two infinity focus points. One marked with the infinity symbol and the other marked "L". The actual location of infinity focus moves between the two points depending upon the temperature of the lens.

The 180L happens to be the longest black canon lens.

Andrew
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no canon L lens under 200mm is white and no canon L over 200mm is black i think
 
wez130 said:
no canon L lens under 200mm is white and no canon L over 200mm is black i think
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Fairly close to true I would say.

Thing is, shorter L glass is also used outdoors in direct sun...:shrug:
 
Anton Roland said:
Fairly close to true I would say.

Thing is, shorter L glass is also used outdoors in direct sun...:shrug:
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But they wouldn't have as much surface area to heat up.
 
Strange think is, even though I say I don't like the look of white lenes (and I don't) I did want one. And who ever said that they're easier to find on E-bay is right.
 
I think its fairly clear which is the Nikon shooter.
Best glass but.....:cuckoo:

2d94sid.jpg
 
WeddingHack said:
This is why - spot the Nikon shooter

152386454_fa67e5da89.jpg


It's a marketing exercise.
Click to expand...


All those Canon shooters are just zooming in on the guy with the D3 on the other side. If you look closely you can see the dropped mouths in awe.... :D
 
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