What is a Canon L-series lens and why is it a big deal?
Canon sell a number of lenses in a special series they refer to as L for luxury. These are their most expensive and highest-quality lenses, and are readily identifiable by the red stripe painted around the end of the barrel. L series lenses offer higher optical quality than their non-L equivalents, and have an important technical aspect in common. At least one element in every L lens is either made of fluorite crystal rather than glass, is a ground aspheric lens element (not a moulded/replicated aspheric lens as used in less expensive lenses) or is made from ultra-low dispersion glass. Most L series lenses are also sturdily built – many are encased in metal barrels and most are weatherproofed – and most are very fast lenses for their focal lengths. Nearly all telephoto L series lenses are also off-white rather than black. These lenses are, therefore, marketed as professional camera lenses and are usually priced out of the range of most consumers. They can be used to take great photogra
