Canon Why is the RF 70-200mm f/4L still white?

[ShipleyNW]

So I'm totally mirrorless now. R5, R7 and 4 RF lenses. Completing the set was an RF 70-200 f/4L. It's great. It folds up tiny. It's practically the same size as my RF 24-105 f/4L, which is black, as it should be.

Big white Canon lenses stick out because they're big. They're white too, but mainly big. I can live with that. I got an RF 100-500 that's white. To be expected.

I always thought it was odd that the 70-200 series was white, but at least the EF ones were long. The RF version feels nice and stealthy in the hand, but then it's white. Grrr.

 

[Archibald]

The white color reduces their weight.

 

[mnhoj]

It's a status thing. ( :

 

[RichardC]

Marketing portability? Are white lenses perceived to be smaller?

 

[sasquatchphotog]

It's like how red ones go faster.

Red Ones Go Faster - TV Tropes

Red things just seem to go faster. In fiction, make something vermilion and you can almost guarantee it'll move quicker, as if the color itself reduces drag, lowers inertia and increases forward momentum. A visual shorthand for getting the point …

tvtropes.org

 

[mcoren]

As one who shoots mainly outdoors, I've wondered if the white lenses perform better in sunlight. White = gets less hot = less expansion, air currents, etc.

 

[Archibald]

As one who shoots mainly outdoors, I've wondered if the white lenses perform better in sunlight. White = gets less hot = less expansion, air currents, etc.

Right - I think that is the reason Canon gave way back then for making the big lenses white. It makes sense, kind of. But if it is that critical, why didn't Nikon follow suit? And why does Canon still have large black areas in those lenses? Most lens hoods were still black, and that can be a source of convection and heat waves. My RF 100-500mm's hood is white, though, and even has a little trap door that I use for ventilation.

 

[archaeopteryx]

But if it is that critical, why didn't Nikon follow suit?

I suspect it's mostly branding at this point. Even Canon's marketing puts heat in scare quotes. Minolta/Sony and Pentax also use white, so a corollary is Nikon may be using black as a differentiator.

Nikon made a white light grey 28–70 f/2.8, 70–200 f/2.8, and 300 f/2 (mostly) though.

 

[Only RF]

Right - I think that is the reason Canon gave way back then for making the big lenses white. It makes sense, kind of. But if it is that critical, why didn't Nikon follow suit? And why does Canon still have large black areas in those lenses? Most lens hoods were still black, and that can be a source of convection and heat waves. My RF 100-500mm's hood is white, though, and even has a little trap door that I use for ventilation.

Nikon can't afford white paint.

 

[Only RF]

Right - I think that is the reason Canon gave way back then for making the big lenses white. It makes sense, kind of. But if it is that critical, why didn't Nikon follow suit? And why does Canon still have large black areas in those lenses? Most lens hoods were still black, and that can be a source of convection and heat waves. My RF 100-500mm's hood is white, though, and even has a little trap door that I use for ventilation.

Some may find this interesting.

Are Lens Hoods Wrecking Your Photos In Cold Weather? - Backcountry Gallery

Are you a cold-weather shooter? Did you know your lens hood can work against you if the conditions are right, absolutely turning your photos to mush? Give me four minutes and I’ll show you when to watch for the problem, what it looks like, and how to avoid it. This is a must-see for anyone […]

backcountrygallery.com

 

[ShipleyNW]

Some may find this interesting.

Are Lens Hoods Wrecking Your Photos In Cold Weather? - Backcountry Gallery

Are you a cold-weather shooter? Did you know your lens hood can work against you if the conditions are right, absolutely turning your photos to mush? Give me four minutes and I’ll show you when to watch for the problem, what it looks like, and how to avoid it. This is a must-see for anyone […]

backcountrygallery.com

I think the video (about heat trapped in a lens hood causing distortion) says more about lens hoods than it does about paint. One more reason I hate lens hoods.

I begrudgingly use a lens hood when I can. If I'm shooting exclusively out of my bag, which is most of the time, I'll leave the hoods at home. They don't fit in the bag, and I prefer shooting that way.

Modern zoom lenses are huge to begin with, and the hoods have grown to chowder-bowl proportions. They're in the way. First thing I do when I get a lens is put a filter on the front. Stays there for life. I've had 3 lenses saved by a filter (over 30 years.) I've never lost a lens to a blow. I always wear a hat, so I've always got portable shade. Most of the time, though, a hood wouldn't add anything to a shot.

If I'm out with a lens big enough to warrant its own bag for transport, I got a bag that will take the hood, so I'll take that with me. Hoods have their purpose. A UV filter is scarier but provides adequate protection. A hood is a little better, though, for that, and sometimes the shade a hood provides comes in handy. Might as well bring it along.

But yeah, I'd heard they hold the heat. I pay attention to that when I get out of the car. I can't imagine the outside color of the hood would matter much. They're all black on the inside and they're warmed over time to the ambient inside temperature. White hoods might cool faster, but if you leave the hood on while the temperature inside the hood reaches ambient outside temperature, that will take several minutes either way. Best to just pop the hood off and replace the air. Also, move away from the car. The engine and the windows are still throwing off heat.

My RF 100-500mm's hood is white, though, and even has a little trap door that I use for ventilation.

I've got that lens and hood. Kidding aside, that might actually help. Hold the lens vertically and the cold air would force the warm air down and out the trap pretty quickly.