What's so special about Canon's "L" lenses?

[ndee]

I've heard alot about that "L" glass, what's so special about it?

 

[Anubis]

extreamly well made, they contain a number of ED glass elements as well as florite elements that result in extrealmy sharp distortion free images, most also feature internal focusing and USM, Ultrasonic Motor which makes focus speed really fast

they are the same as teh High end Nikon AFS ED VR lenses, in quality and price

 

[vi edit]

They are also better sealed than the non "L" line and keep out water and debris better if you are into outdoorsy shoots.

 

[toekramp]

take a photo with one find out for yourself,

i have the 17-40 L...it was a mistake to get cause now i'll only buy L glass

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
They are also better sealed than the non "L" line and keep out water and debris better if you are into outdoorsy shoots.

yea i forgot that, however not all are weather sealed, the 70-200 f/2.8 L is weather sealed but the 70-200 f/4 L is NOT

 

[Doggiedog]

Take a detailed picture with one and one using a non-L and you will definitely notice a difference in sharpness.

 

[irwincur]

extreamly well made, they contain a number of ED glass elements as well as florite elements that result in extrealmy sharp distortion free images, most also feature internal focusing and USM, Ultrasonic Motor which makes focus speed really fast

The only real advantage to ED glass and Flourite (slightly better than ED) is the huge reduction in chromatic abberation. You know - the purple fringes that appear in high contrast areas. This occurs with normal lenses as the lens itself cannot focus blue and red light at the same focal point, so inside focus you get purple fring, and far outside you get a red fringe. They do not add technically to the 'resolution' of the image. There are indeed some normal glass element lenses, that correctly made can easily stand up to an ED or Flourite lens in terms of 'resolution'. Chromatic abberation also becomes much less of an issue in longer focal length systems, as well as slower systems.

Disadvatages to these lens types. ED is fragile, as are the coatings. Flourite has been known to crack in low temperatures, it is also extremely fragile. If you buy these lenses be careful with them.



Other than that, any lens that has ED or Flourite elements is just bound to be made better. Plus, they are probably still made in Japan which is huge for quality control purposes. They probably also do not use the crappy, generic Chinese green optical coatins. They use the nice FMC Japanese coatings leading to higher contrast and better durability.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: irwincur

extreamly well made, they contain a number of ED glass elements as well as florite elements that result in extrealmy sharp distortion free images, most also feature internal focusing and USM, Ultrasonic Motor which makes focus speed really fast

The only real advantage to ED glass and Flourite (slightly better than ED) is the huge reduction in chromatic abberation. You know - the purple fringes that appear in high contrast areas. This occurs with normal lenses as the lens itself cannot focus blue and red light at the same focal point, so inside focus you get purple fring, and far outside you get a red fringe.

Disadvatages to these lens types. ED is fragile, as are the coatings. Flourite has been known to crack in low temperatures, it is also extremely fragile. If you buy these lenses be careful with them.


Other than that, any lens that has ED or Flourite elements is just bound to be made better. Plus, they are probably still made in Japan which is huge for quality control purposes. They probably also do not use the crappy, generic Chinese green optical coatins. They use the nice FMC Japanese coatings leading to higher contrast and better durability.

yea, florite also has issues with heat, which is one of the reasons the canon lenses are white, they dont absorbe as much heat as black lenses do

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: toekramp
take a photo with one find out for yourself,

i have the 17-40 L...it was a mistake to get cause now i'll only buy L glass

Have you used it on any of the digital cameras? I'm curious how it mates up with say the 300D or the 20D.

I have the 70-200 f4 lens and I love it. BTW-I've shot with it in misty-rainy conditions at the Long Beach Grand Prix and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[Passions]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: irwincur

extreamly well made, they contain a number of ED glass elements as well as florite elements that result in extrealmy sharp distortion free images, most also feature internal focusing and USM, Ultrasonic Motor which makes focus speed really fast

The only real advantage to ED glass and Flourite (slightly better than ED) is the huge reduction in chromatic abberation. You know - the purple fringes that appear in high contrast areas. This occurs with normal lenses as the lens itself cannot focus blue and red light at the same focal point, so inside focus you get purple fring, and far outside you get a red fringe.

Disadvatages to these lens types. ED is fragile, as are the coatings. Flourite has been known to crack in low temperatures, it is also extremely fragile. If you buy these lenses be careful with them.


Other than that, any lens that has ED or Flourite elements is just bound to be made better. Plus, they are probably still made in Japan which is huge for quality control purposes. They probably also do not use the crappy, generic Chinese green optical coatins. They use the nice FMC Japanese coatings leading to higher contrast and better durability.

yea, florite also has issues with heat, which is one of the reasons the canon lenses are white, they dont absorbe as much heat as black lenses do

WOW DIDNT KNOW THAT!