Why Are Only Some Canon L Lenses White

CaptainPenguin

CaptainPenguin

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Nigel Cliff
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I know I have nothing better to do at lunchtime but Canon say

This reduces heat gain when a lens is used in bright, direct sunlight. White reflects more light than black - thus, less heat gain.


So why are only some of their L lenses white (Telephoto's and Telephoto Zooms) and yet others (Shorter focal length) are not


The uneaten Twix in my lunch box free to the best answer (Collection only)
 
CaptainPenguin said:
I know I have nothing better to do at lunchtime but Canon say

This reduces heat gain when a lens is used in bright, direct sunlight. White reflects more light than black - thus, less heat gain.


So why are only some of their L lenses white (Telephoto's and Telephoto Zooms) and yet others (Shorter focal length) are not


The uneaten Twix in my lunch box free to the best answer (Collection only)
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well..logically the shorter focal length the smaller (in theory) the length of the lens..thus less surface area for the sun to be caught on.

That or Canon owners just want to look like prima donna's with their big white lenses :exit: :p
 
Two possibilities:

1) A longer focal length, and hence a longer physical length, lens group would be more prone to athermalisation than a shorter lens group. Athermalisation in this context being a shift in focus due to thermal expansion moving the optical elements relative to each other. So make them heat reflective to minimise this effect.

I don't know how Nikon manage this with there long FL lenses.

2) It looks cool....:cool:
 
timmygcsc2308 said:
thats what Apple users will tell you anyhow ;)
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I was more than happy to discuss why Canon users feel they need a little extra help to look cool or want to advertise their poor decision making :p but you just had to drag apple into it:)
 
CaptainPenguin said:
I'm 56 fat and with little hair it will take more than a white lens to make me look cool
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sport a pair of cycle shorts too and you're on to a winner ;)
 
this has got be the only scenario where a black one is smaller than a white one :exit:
 
CaptainPenguin said:
Canon say

This reduces heat gain when a lens is used in bright, direct sunlight. White reflects more light than black - thus, less heat gain.
Click to expand...

Officially that's what they say (and in theory it's true), but I'd suspect that the real reason is more that it's a marketing ploy, the white lenses stand out more at large sporting events, film premieres etc, giving Canon extra brand exposure.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
... I'd suspect that the real reason is more that it's a marketing ploy, the white lenses stand out more at large sporting events, film premieres etc, giving Canon extra brand exposure.
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I'm sure you're right.

But the question was about why Canon only paint their longer lenses white.

ChrisJ_SLH said:
A longer focal length, and hence a longer physical length, lens group would be more prone to athermalisation than a shorter lens group. Athermalisation in this context being a shift in focus due to thermal expansion moving the optical elements relative to each other. So make them heat reflective to minimise this effect.
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If I were Chris I think I'd be looking forward to receiving a Twix for that effort.

ChrisJ_SLH said:
I don't know how Nikon manage this with there long FL lenses.
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I think it's because they don't need to. The thermal expansion explanation might be genuine, but as FITP said, it's probably not the real reason. maybe it only makes things 1% better.
 
canon L lenses are not White they are cream :P you can also get some nikon lenses in a creamy White colour too.
 
StewartR said:
I'm sure you're right.

But the question was about why Canon only paint their longer lenses white.



If I were Chris I think I'd be looking forward to receiving a Twix for that effort.



I think it's because they don't need to. The thermal expansion explanation might be genuine, but as FITP said, it's probably not the real reason. maybe it only makes things 1% better.
Click to expand...


I'm thinking of giving the Twix for the willy comment probably because there's to many long words in the other post
 
Surely the bigger lenses have more glass elements so the heat dissipation theory has more relevance?
 
We all know it's for marketing the brand but is dressed up with some pseudo science mumbo jumbo like shampoo ads;)

Besides, once you've had black you don't go back:lol:
 
I've seen white(cream-off white whatever) lens hoods on sale to go with them.
 
Some say its because the white ( or cream ) lenses have a fluorite element, which is very soft and is affected by heat, hence the lighter finish to reflect said heat.

Others go down the "willy" route as has been brought up earlier....:lol:

Allan
 
POAH said:
you can also get some nikon lenses in a creamy White colour too.
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Yes, but with a Canon lens you know it is a true 18% cream one :thumbs:
 
I was playing with a grey NIKON lens at marwell zoo, I fitted in with the canons a treat.... until I started shooting and the shutter sound gave me away!
 
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