Liberty555
Forum Enthusiast
There is a lot of debate on the forum, specifically the Canon Lens Forum about "L" lenses, and this has prompted me to do a bit of research. Here is what I've found…
What makes an "L" lens?
Q. Is it a weather sealed lens?
A. No, while many "L" lenses are weather sealed, several are not. Several of those that are weather sealed require a filter on the front element, which many will tell you degrades image quality. That’s another can of worms we won't open here! (Personally I put filters on all my lenses, from the cheapest to the most expensive… but that's my prerogative!)
Q. Is it a constant aperature through the zoom range lens?
A. Again No, while many of the zooms are constant aperture, several are not. The new 70-300 and the older 28-300 are both variable aperture.
Q. It is an EF mount lens only?
A. This is a big one… many have said certain EF-S lenses deserve the "L" name (10-22 & 17-55) but are not EF mount so don't get the name. WRONG! The Canon Powershot Pro1 had an "L" lens! There goes that theory!
Q. Is it a lens with advances coatings, flourite and other low dispersion elements?
A. Not necessarily. With reference to the above, several EF-S lenses have those elements but lack the red ring… so that alone is not an indicator.
Q. Is it purely a marketing gimmick?
A. Yes and no. Its is hard to fault the "L" lenses in terms of performance when compared to the rest of the range of "Consumer" lenses, but that is in no way saying the "consumer" lenses don't perform. I've read more than one review that says "Buy the 85f1.8 and save the money on the 85f1.2". The same could be said for others in the range too. The 85f1.2 is fastest is class though (just not when it comes to focus speed!)
Q. Is it a white lens?
A. No. There are many black "L" lenses…
Q. Is it a guarantee that it will take a good photo every time?
A. Don't be silly! I've seen comparisons between a kit lens and an L lens at f11 or f16 and you would be pressed to spot the difference! Wide open is a different story.
Q. So what it is then? Is it a little bit of each of the above? Is it just a way of signalling that in terms of Canon lenses it is "Best in Class"? Showing it is a cut above the rest of the range and less compromised?
A. You tell me.
Keep it clean please.
What makes an "L" lens?
Q. Is it a weather sealed lens?
A. No, while many "L" lenses are weather sealed, several are not. Several of those that are weather sealed require a filter on the front element, which many will tell you degrades image quality. That’s another can of worms we won't open here! (Personally I put filters on all my lenses, from the cheapest to the most expensive… but that's my prerogative!)
Q. Is it a constant aperature through the zoom range lens?
A. Again No, while many of the zooms are constant aperture, several are not. The new 70-300 and the older 28-300 are both variable aperture.
Q. It is an EF mount lens only?
A. This is a big one… many have said certain EF-S lenses deserve the "L" name (10-22 & 17-55) but are not EF mount so don't get the name. WRONG! The Canon Powershot Pro1 had an "L" lens! There goes that theory!
Q. Is it a lens with advances coatings, flourite and other low dispersion elements?
A. Not necessarily. With reference to the above, several EF-S lenses have those elements but lack the red ring… so that alone is not an indicator.
Q. Is it purely a marketing gimmick?
A. Yes and no. Its is hard to fault the "L" lenses in terms of performance when compared to the rest of the range of "Consumer" lenses, but that is in no way saying the "consumer" lenses don't perform. I've read more than one review that says "Buy the 85f1.8 and save the money on the 85f1.2". The same could be said for others in the range too. The 85f1.2 is fastest is class though (just not when it comes to focus speed!)
Q. Is it a white lens?
A. No. There are many black "L" lenses…
Q. Is it a guarantee that it will take a good photo every time?
A. Don't be silly! I've seen comparisons between a kit lens and an L lens at f11 or f16 and you would be pressed to spot the difference! Wide open is a different story.
Q. So what it is then? Is it a little bit of each of the above? Is it just a way of signalling that in terms of Canon lenses it is "Best in Class"? Showing it is a cut above the rest of the range and less compromised?
A. You tell me.
Keep it clean please.
