Why not all white
Apr 30, 2019 18:50:51 #
The shorter focal length L Canon lenses are black, while all of the longer lenses are white. Just curious as to why.
Apr 30, 2019 18:53:56 #
Because the long lenses are so large that if they were black the heat from the sun would cause them to expand and change dimensions and throw off the focus etc. At least that's the theory. The shorter lenses don't heat up as much because there isn't as much surface to heat up.
Apr 30, 2019 18:57:44 #
The white versions add another $ to the cost ($$$ becomes $,$$$). Is that what you want for every lens?
Apr 30, 2019 19:04:42 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The white versions add another $ to the cost ($$$ becomes $,$$$). Is that what you want for every lens?
It cost more to paint them white?
Apr 30, 2019 19:12:48 #
boberic wrote:
The shorter focal length L Canon lenses are black, while all of the longer lenses are white. Just curious as to why.
Because it looks cool and nobody else did it until recently.
Apr 30, 2019 19:20:49 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Because it looks cool and nobody else did it until recently.
Nikon had some white/grey lens in the past.
Don
Apr 30, 2019 23:01:49 #
boberic wrote:
The shorter focal length L Canon lenses
are black, while all of the longer lenses
are white. Just curious as to why.
The shorter focal length L Canon lenses
are black, while all of the longer lenses
are white. Just curious as to why.
Apr 30, 2019 23:28:38 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jeep_daddy wrote:
Because the long lenses are so large that if they were black the heat from the sun would cause them to expand and change dimensions and throw off the focus etc. At least that's the theory. The shorter lenses don't heat up as much because there isn't as much surface to heat up.
In the real world though I doubt it makes much, if any, difference.
Apr 30, 2019 23:32:56 #
I like the thermal expansion inference.... ever notice that all astronauts wear white "space suits"
While a single photon does pack much of a wallop, in aggregate incoming from direct sunlight can indeed push the envelope to a point where the thermal expansion coefficient may likely take a toll on lens components... But then again, possibly Nikkors are made of sterner stuff... so they likely can handle it... I did notice that Nikon now uses cooling fans on it's high end speedlights... the thermal cutout on the SB900 was not a crowd pleaser... and Nikon limits burst modes on the D500 in order to keep the shutter from overheating... even sensor noise increases with ambient temperature... got to keep it cool...
While a single photon does pack much of a wallop, in aggregate incoming from direct sunlight can indeed push the envelope to a point where the thermal expansion coefficient may likely take a toll on lens components... But then again, possibly Nikkors are made of sterner stuff... so they likely can handle it... I did notice that Nikon now uses cooling fans on it's high end speedlights... the thermal cutout on the SB900 was not a crowd pleaser... and Nikon limits burst modes on the D500 in order to keep the shutter from overheating... even sensor noise increases with ambient temperature... got to keep it cool...
Apr 30, 2019 23:34:17 #
According to some web found material, In the past, Canon used white bodies for temperature stability which would help the larger glass elements become more consistent in its performance. Later on, even with changes in technology, the general idea continued as the white lenses become a Canon brand identity.
May 1, 2019 00:52:10 #
They're not really white, they are very light grey.
May 1, 2019 02:28:40 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
I was told by a fellow Pro' (He's a Canon man, I'm a Nikon man)While he was covering the Tennis action in Outdoors Australia, black tele' lens internal elements were "steaming up inside". But 'White' coated barrels were remaining cool, and clear. That was back in the 1970's / 80's.
May 1, 2019 03:48:01 #
mwsilvers wrote:
In the real world though I doubt it makes much, if any, difference.
If it did, all manufacturers would be making white, reflective or light-toned lenses. Black lenses would be a thing of the past.
May 1, 2019 06:17:54 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
They're not really white, they are very light grey.
Darn! and I just spray-painted all my lenses white!
May 1, 2019 07:47:12 #
sb wrote:
Darn! and I just spray-painted all my lenses white!
Be careful! Getting the over-spray off the lens elements takes a steady hand with a razor blade!
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