Why do they make some Lenses White??

coreyhkh · 05-30-2012, 05:03 PM

the big lenses may get hot sitting in the sun but everyone covers them up anyway lol

Wheatfield · 05-30-2012, 11:10 PM

When Canon first started putting white lenses on the market, we were told that the white colour reflected heat, making the lenses less prone to thermal expansion, but the main reason was that white lenses aren't as prone to internal air thermals (that's the wavys you see when looking down a highway on a hot day). Apparently this was important to Canon.
Of course, white lenses on the sidelines of football games are pretty good free advertising for the brand.

eddie1960 · 05-31-2012, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Of course, white lenses on the sidelines of football games are pretty good free advertising for the brand.

the real reason it was important to Canon of course.

Clavius · 05-31-2012, 05:45 AM

I thought they were matching lenses for the white "stormtrooper" Kx?

And that there were lots and lots of we-want-a-white-DSLR threads over at the Canon forums...

RioRico · 05-31-2012, 11:18 AM

Some (rhetorical) questions:

If reflecting light+heat is the purpose, why not a mirrored metallic surface for maximum efficiency? And wouldn't mirrors be more noticeable? Gold-tinted, especially?

I suspect that toggers in combat zones might want something less conspicuous than a bright white or silver lens. So, does Canon make cammo versions?

Will different-colored bodies sell better if they have matching (or at leas color-coordinated) accessories? Where are our red lenses and grips?

Will the developers of customizable 'skins' for cameras and lenses become awesomely wealthy and famous? Are you working on it?

Frogfish · 05-31-2012, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Will different-colored bodies sell better if they have matching (or at leas color-coordinated) accessories? Where are our red lenses and grips?

Pentax do make a red 18-55 to match the red Kx & Kr cameras

eddie1960 · 05-31-2012, 01:02 PM

heck Pentax makes all sorts of colourful DA 35 2.4 al (including white of course)

Marc Sabatella · 05-31-2012, 01:11 PM

Mirrored exteriors would reflect too much light and be a major nuisance to anyone standing near. Even a large white lens can reflect enough light to cause eye fatigue in the photographer, which might be why Nikon elected not to go that route. And I'm sure the actual magnitude of the thermal issues is relatively small, enough so that it might be legitimately traded off against the other concerns - and the desire for camouflage probably shouldn't be written off as a factor.

zapp · 06-01-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

the freaking enormous, heavy - 564lbs and expensive -just one element is about the same cost as a nice S500 sedan zeiss 1700 mm is white - and will require a custom made support to use it - THAT IS A HASSY 6X6 ON THE BACK

The front element is worth a couple S600 cars actually, but that includes the engineering and planning part for this unique lens.

zapp · 06-01-2012, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

the freaking enormous, heavy - 564lbs and expensive -just one element is about the same cost as a nice S500 sedan zeiss 1700 mm is white - and will require a custom made support to use it - THAT IS A HASSY 6X6 ON THE BACK

The S500 could pay for one of the smaller lens elements, maybe... I know the price, you are really far from getting close.

Obviously a white lens has several advantages - sun light is reflected. Silver and golden colors would also have an effect, but reflexes could build up. You can really get into trouble with the sun shining on one side of thelens while the other side is in the shade. This effect can also be overcome with stronger mechanical support - something done for high-accuracy surveying instruments. Over the years each major player developed its own color. NIkon black, Canon white, Pentax silver - with severla nuances in between. Pentax used to have black or white super telefoto lenses, Leica weas black at first and became silber later, Nikon offers grey lenses, ... Heat and thermal expansion are important factors in the design of long lenses.
Pentax may offer a rainbow version as well as a pink version.

eddie1960 · 06-01-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by zapp

The front element is worth a couple S600 cars actually, but that includes the engineering and planning part for this unique lens.

you're right of course i was having a senior moment on the model number of the car.

No idea what this lens cost in total but a million + would not be an unreasonable guess

VoiceOfReason · 06-01-2012, 09:09 AM

I've got a big lens, and I am going to use it as soon as it is clear! Actually, it's my telescope. I finally got the eyepiece and t mount adapters in. Now I will see what happens with long exposures and auto tracking. It's goign to be fun. Of course I need to lug that heavy thing out to where there is no ambient light.

05-31-2012, 11:18 AM	#35
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Some (rhetorical) questions: If reflecting light+heat is the purpose, why not a mirrored metallic surface for maximum efficiency? And wouldn't mirrors be more noticeable? Gold-tinted, especially? I suspect that toggers in combat zones might want something less conspicuous than a bright white or silver lens. So, does Canon make cammo versions? Will different-colored bodies sell better if they have matching (or at leas color-coordinated) accessories? Where are our red lenses and grips? Will the developers of customizable 'skins' for cameras and lenses become awesomely wealthy and famous? Are you working on it? Last edited by RioRico; 05-31-2012 at 03:18 PM.

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05-30-2012, 05:03 PM	#31
coreyhkh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: London Ontario Posts: 131 Original Poster	the big lenses may get hot sitting in the sun but everyone covers them up anyway lol

05-30-2012, 11:10 PM	#32
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	When Canon first started putting white lenses on the market, we were told that the white colour reflected heat, making the lenses less prone to thermal expansion, but the main reason was that white lenses aren't as prone to internal air thermals (that's the wavys you see when looking down a highway on a hot day). Apparently this was important to Canon. Of course, white lenses on the sidelines of football games are pretty good free advertising for the brand.

05-31-2012, 05:18 AM	#33
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Wheatfield Of course, white lenses on the sidelines of football games are pretty good free advertising for the brand. the real reason it was important to Canon of course.

05-31-2012, 05:45 AM	#34
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	I thought they were matching lenses for the white "stormtrooper" Kx? And that there were lots and lots of we-want-a-white-DSLR threads over at the Canon forums...

05-31-2012, 11:45 AM	#36
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by RioRico Will different-colored bodies sell better if they have matching (or at leas color-coordinated) accessories? Where are our red lenses and grips? Pentax do make a red 18-55 to match the red Kx & Kr cameras

05-31-2012, 01:02 PM	#37
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	heck Pentax makes all sorts of colourful DA 35 2.4 al (including white of course)

05-31-2012, 01:11 PM	#38
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Mirrored exteriors would reflect too much light and be a major nuisance to anyone standing near. Even a large white lens can reflect enough light to cause eye fatigue in the photographer, which might be why Nikon elected not to go that route. And I'm sure the actual magnitude of the thermal issues is relatively small, enough so that it might be legitimately traded off against the other concerns - and the desire for camouflage probably shouldn't be written off as a factor.

06-01-2012, 08:31 AM	#39
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by eddie1960 the freaking enormous, heavy - 564lbs and expensive -just one element is about the same cost as a nice S500 sedan zeiss 1700 mm is white - and will require a custom made support to use it - THAT IS A HASSY 6X6 ON THE BACK The front element is worth a couple S600 cars actually, but that includes the engineering and planning part for this unique lens.

06-01-2012, 08:37 AM	#40
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by eddie1960 the freaking enormous, heavy - 564lbs and expensive -just one element is about the same cost as a nice S500 sedan zeiss 1700 mm is white - and will require a custom made support to use it - THAT IS A HASSY 6X6 ON THE BACK The S500 could pay for one of the smaller lens elements, maybe... I know the price, you are really far from getting close. Obviously a white lens has several advantages - sun light is reflected. Silver and golden colors would also have an effect, but reflexes could build up. You can really get into trouble with the sun shining on one side of thelens while the other side is in the shade. This effect can also be overcome with stronger mechanical support - something done for high-accuracy surveying instruments. Over the years each major player developed its own color. NIkon black, Canon white, Pentax silver - with severla nuances in between. Pentax used to have black or white super telefoto lenses, Leica weas black at first and became silber later, Nikon offers grey lenses, ... Heat and thermal expansion are important factors in the design of long lenses. Pentax may offer a rainbow version as well as a pink version.

06-01-2012, 09:05 AM	#41
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by zapp The front element is worth a couple S600 cars actually, but that includes the engineering and planning part for this unique lens. you're right of course i was having a senior moment on the model number of the car. No idea what this lens cost in total but a million + would not be an unreasonable guess

06-01-2012, 09:09 AM	#42
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I've got a big lens, and I am going to use it as soon as it is clear! Actually, it's my telescope. I finally got the eyepiece and t mount adapters in. Now I will see what happens with long exposures and auto tracking. It's goign to be fun. Of course I need to lug that heavy thing out to where there is no ambient light.