Why white?

Roy Mathers · June 29, 2007

Does anyone know when - and more importantly why - Canon decided to make some of their L series lenses in the now famous off white colour? And why only in the longer focal lengths?

Red Bull · June 29, 2007

From what I've heard it is to reduce the amount of heat that it picks up. Sports shooters are out on the field for many hours in the sun and you don't want your equipment getting too hot.

Roy Mathers · June 29, 2007

Thanks, that's very interesting. But why do you think other manufacturers don't do the same?

seastack · June 29, 2007

Roy Mathers wrote:

Thanks, that's very interesting. But why do you think other manufacturers don't do the same?

Because it's more about marketing than actual usefulness? Ooops, that was my cycnical side.

ivar · June 29, 2007

I think it may be a marketing thing, as well as the heat thing.

EDIT: I see Seastack and I think alike...

seastack · June 29, 2007

ivar wrote:

I think it may be a marketing thing, as well as the heat thing.

EDIT: I see Seastack and I think alike...

, I actually have two friends who shoot Nikon digitals. They always end the Canon/Nikon debates we have by saying, "of course we don't have the WHITE lenses to control heat!" Cheeky bastards

Awais Yaqub · June 29, 2007

well i think its marketing as my bro always say when you will buy that white lens when he is watching cricket match . Even my dad is fan of those white lenses

They look beautiful on camera

jogle · June 29, 2007

Roy Mathers wrote:

Thanks, that's very interesting. But why do you think other manufacturers don't do the same?

They do, you can buy the long nikon zooms in a light grey colour.

ziggy53 · June 29, 2007

Roy Mathers wrote:

Thanks, that's very interesting. But why do you think other manufacturers don't do the same?

Ahem ...

Nikon
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234176-USA/Nikon_2132_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_500mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242161-GREY/Nikon_2124_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_300mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234174-USA/Nikon_2128_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_400mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242157-GREY/Nikon_2120_28_70mm_f_2_8D_ED_IF_AF.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/248293-GREY/Nikon_2134_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_600mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/278173-GREY/Nikon_2140_70_200mm_f_2_8D_VR_G_AFS.html

Minolta/Sony
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af200f28g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af300f28gs
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af300f4g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af400f45g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af600f4g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af70-200f28gs

Yes, the light gray and white(ish) paint does help reduce heat build up, and reduces lens focus shift due to thermal expansion. I do believe that there is also the "Marketing" value in making these lenses conspicuous as well.

Roy Mathers · June 29, 2007

ziggy53 wrote:

Ahem ...

Nikon
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234176-USA/Nikon_2132_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_500mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242161-GREY/Nikon_2124_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_300mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234174-USA/Nikon_2128_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_400mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242157-GREY/Nikon_2120_28_70mm_f_2_8D_ED_IF_AF.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/248293-GREY/Nikon_2134_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_600mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/278173-GREY/Nikon_2140_70_200mm_f_2_8D_VR_G_AFS.html

Minolta/Sony
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af200f28g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af300f28gs
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af300f4g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af400f45g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af600f4g
http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/onelens.php?id=af70-200f28gs

Yes, the light gray and white(ish) paint does help reduce heat build up, and reduces lens focus shift due to thermal expansion. I do believe that there is also the "Marketing" value in making these lenses conspicuous as well.

Oops - I didn't know that! Thanks.

Terrence · June 29, 2007

Gotta love Ziggy! I swear he has a URL or 20 for any occasion!!

sirsloop · June 30, 2007

yeh... its not just canon that has white lenses.

IDK how many of you have spend 8-10 hours outside with a camera, no clouds, no shade, and 90 degrees. Lemmie tell you, the black camera body gets hot REAL quick and the white lens stays nice and cool. Whats the operating temperature on these cameras??? Isnt it only something like 104°F?

claudermilk · June 30, 2007

I'm amazed that nobody's trotted out the original excuse Canon apparently gave: the Fluorite lens elements on those big zooms. Apparently they are very sensitive to heat, thus the white. Then, it became a marketing thing as much as that. Whatever the case, I don't care what color Canon decided to paint my 70-200, I love the lens.

Roy Mathers · June 30, 2007

claudermilk wrote:

I'm amazed that nobody's trotted out the original excuse Canon apparently gave: the Fluorite lens elements on those big zooms. Apparently they are very sensitive to heat, thus the white. Then, it became a marketing thing as much as that. Whatever the case, I don't care what color Canon decided to paint my 70-200, I love the lens.

I also have the 70-200 and I agree that it is a superb lens. The only disadvantage is that the white finish makes it a bit conspicuous.

hgernhardtjr · June 30, 2007

Roy Mathers wrote:

The only disadvantage is that the white finish makes it a bit conspicuous.

Thats where camouflage telephoto lens covers (here's just one of many sites ... http://www.lenscoat.com/ ... that make or carry them) or similar covers come into play! They are even available in white or black. I have not seen a blaze orange one yet, though ... darn! Though a white Bigma does kinda float my boat!

Ginny · June 30, 2007

I like 'em because when I'm sitting up in the nose-bleeds at a Dolphins game, my son can point to either endzone and say, "Daddy, those are Canons, huh!"

Then I can say, "Yes they are, son .... yes they are!"

jdryan3 · July 1, 2007

hgernhardtjr wrote:

I have not seen a blaze orange one yet, though ... darn! Though a white Bigma does kinda float my boat!

Well, since you like Blaze Oange and boats, this may help

Art Scott · July 1, 2007

I had a 5 gal can USAF 5 mile orange when I was 16 or 17 and wanted to paint my 64 NOVA with it...but my Dad wouldn't allow it....

cry:cry....I just wanted to be seen when driving thru the hills of Arkansas in the very early 70's...................:D:D:D

claudermilk · July 2, 2007

Roy Mathers wrote:

I also have the 70-200 and I agree that it is a superb lens. The only disadvantage is that the white finish makes it a bit conspicuous.

They're getting more and more commonplace that it isn't as much of a big deal any more. That and I don't much care personally, I'm more interested in having the right equipment--besides the comments are kind of amusing (last trip to the zoo I overheard at least one "now THAT'S a lens"--from some guy's SO, and he was packing a compact P&S.

).

sirsloop · July 3, 2007

Ginny wrote:

I like 'em because when I'm sitting up in the nose-bleeds at a Dolphins game, my son can point to either endzone and say, "Daddy, those are Canons, huh!"

Then I can say, "Yes they are, son .... yes they are!"

One of my friends has a 911 porsche. They were at a gas station and the attendant says "nice car". My friends son quickly pipes up from the passenger seat and says: "ITS NOT A CAR!! ITS A PORSCHE!!"

rofl

Thats not a camera, its a Canon!!

claudermilk · July 3, 2007

sirsloop wrote:

One of my friends has a 911 porsche. They were at a gas station and the attendant says "nice car". My friends son quickly pipes up from the passenger seat and says: "ITS NOT A CAR!! ITS A PORSCHE!!" rofl

Thats not a camera, its a Canon!!

:lol4 Sounds like he's bringing up his son properly!

:pimp

hgernhardtjr · July 11, 2007

For jdryan3 and Art ... a touch of color really does work!

jdryan3 · July 12, 2007

hgernhardtjr wrote:

For jdryan3 and Art ... a touch of color really does work!

Sweet!

What color is the camera body? Fluorescent Lime Green??

DanielB · July 12, 2007

jdryan3 wrote:

What color is the camera body? Fluorescent Lime Green??

*shudders* sounds cool but if i saw it in person i would have to cry a little

claudermilk · July 12, 2007

OMG! A ricer lens! All it's missing is the go-fast stickers. I'll bet there's a huge aluminum wing on top of the body.

hgernhardtjr · July 13, 2007

jdryan3 wrote:

Sweet!
What color is the camera body? Fluorescent Lime Green??

Darn tootin!

KA0TVO · July 14, 2007

Things are getting out of control here. You gotta love it.:lol4

claudermilk · July 15, 2007

AUGH! My eyes are bleeding! :help

freaky

USAIR · July 16, 2007

It now has that Fisher-Price look to it.:D

Fred

Why white?

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