An L lens is a line of SLR photography lenses

Lenses for SLR and DSLR cameras

This article is about photographic lenses for single-lens reflex film cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras .Furthermore, the emphasis is on modern lenses for 35 mm film SLRs and for DSLRs with sensor sizes less than or equal to 35 mm .-Interchangeable lenses:The major advantage...

 made by Canon.
L lenses are Canon's top-of-the-line lenses. The "L" officially stands for "Luxury", a reference to the lenses' high price and proclaimed build quality. The use of "ASPH" was common to notate aspherical elements throughout Canon's and other manufacturers' histories.
Canon produces both L-series zoom

Zoom lens

A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens...

 and prime lens

Prime lens

In film and photography, a prime lens is either a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens, or it is the primary lens in a combination lens system....

es for their obsolete FD lens mount and for their current EF lens mount

Canon EF lens mount

Introduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens...

 used on all Canon EOS

Canon EOS

The Canon EOS autofocus 35 mm film and digital SLR camera system was introduced in 1987 with the Canon EOS 650 and is still in production as Canon's current DSLR system...

 cameras (digital and film).

The lens on the Canon PowerShot Pro1

Canon PowerShot Pro1

The PowerShot Pro1 is a digital camera made by Canon, announced in February 2004 and was discontinued first quarter of 2006. It uses a Sony-built 2/3 in 8.3 megapixel CCD image sensor, which gives a usable image size of approximately 8.0 megapixels. It was the most expensive fixed-lens camera...

 was designated L-series, and was the first fixed (non-interchangeable) lens so designated.

Characteristics

L-lenses can be recognized by a red ring around the front part of the lens. Most recent L lenses have sealing to help resist dust and water. L-lenses are typically used by professionals and serious amateurs due to their high price and large mass.

Most L series lenses share a number of common characteristics:

• Tough build, made to withstand trials in the field (some incorporating dust and moisture resistant rubber seals).
• At least one fluorite or ultra-low dispersion glass element, combined with super-low dispersion glass and ground aspherical elements.
• Non-rotating front elements, which are optimal for some filters (e.g. circular polarizers).
• Relatively large apertures compared to other Canon lenses in the same focal lengths.
• Ring-type USM (ultrasonic motor) and full-time manual focusing.
• Three additional data communication pins on Canon Extender EF
  Canon Extender EF
  The Extender EF lenses are a group of teleconverter lenses made by Canon. These lenses are used between any compatible EF type lens and any of the Canon EOS line of cameras. When used with a compatible lens, such as the Canon EF 500mm 4L IS USM, they will multiply the focal length of the lens by a...
  
   compatible lenses, compared to the standard EF mount.

There are some lenses which include one or more of these technologies but which are not designated L-lenses. L-lenses are often equipped with USM and/or IS, but optical performance is the key criterion.

Larger sized L-lenses, such as the 70-200 mm and 100-400 mm zooms and longer focal length primes (300 mm+), usually have an off-white barrel (sometimes referred to as the color "putty") to reduce heat absorption under the sun that may otherwise affect the performance of the lens, as well as to identify Canon's lenses (for example at sporting events). However, shorter focal length L-lenses can be black (such as the Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L and all L-lens primes under 300 mm, with the exception of the discontinued 200 mm f/1.8L and newly announced 200 mm f/2.0L IS.). Therefore L-lenses can be identified by either a lens barrel's off-white colour or, as on all L-lenses, the distinctive red ring on the lens barrel.

Wide angle L-lenses typically have a gelatin

Gelatin

Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, brittle , flavorless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside animals' skin and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar...

 filter

Photographic filter

In photography and videography, a filter is a camera accessory consisting of an optical filter that can be inserted in the optical path. The filter can be a square or oblong shape mounted in a holder accessory, or, more commonly, a glass or plastic disk with a metal or plastic ring frame, which...

 holder on the mounting point of the lens, which allows the photographer to cut a small, square piece of gelatin out of a larger filter sheet and place it on the lens. On film cameras, these are typically used to correct the color temperature

Color temperature

Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in lighting, photography, videography, publishing, manufacturing, astrophysics, and other fields. The color temperature of a light source is the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator that radiates light of...

, but on digital cameras this is largely unnecessary, as the color temperature can be corrected in software. The mount is still commonly used for neutral density

Neutral density filter

In photography and optics, a neutral density filter or ND filter can be a colorless or grey filter. An ideal neutral density filter reduces and/or modifies intensity of all wavelengths or colors of light equally, giving no changes in hue of color rendition.The purpose of standard photographic...

 gelatin sheets though, especially on certain wide-angle lenses where the protruding front element precludes the use of any screw-in filters. Some telephoto L-lenses, such as the EF 70-200mm zoom lenses, or the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 300mm lens

The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....

 do not have rear gelatin filter holders. Super-telephoto lenses such as the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 500mm lens

The EF 500mm lenses are a group of super-telephoto prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length.These lenses have an EF type mount, that fit the Canon EOS line of cameras....

, or the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM

Canon EF 200mm lens

The EF 200mm USM lens is a L-series prime telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. for the EOS line of cameras. Four 200mm primes were made: 1.8, two 2.8, and the most recent 2.0....

 do have a rear 52mm drop-in filter holder, than can be used to hold gelatin type filters.

Ultra-wide-angle

• 8-15mm f/4L USM fisheye
  Canon EF 8-15mm lens
  The Canon EF 8–15mm 4L Fisheye USM is a fisheye zoom lens for Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF lens mount. It delivers 180° diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLR cameras with imaging formats ranging from full-frame to APS-C, and provides 180° circular fisheye images for...
  
  
• 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 16-35mm lens
  The EF 16-35mm 2.8L USM lens is a professional wide-angle lens made by Canon Inc. It replaced the EF 17-35mm 2.8L USM lens, which had itself replaced the EF 20-35 2.8L lens.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
• 17-35mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 17-35mm lens
  The Canon EF 17-35mm 2.8 lens was a wide-angle zoom lens made by Canon Inc.. It was replaced by the Canon EF 16-35mm lens.-External links:* *...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
  Canon EF 17-40mm lens
  The EF 17-40mm 4L USM lens is a wide-angle lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras. Other than the front element, it is sealed against dust and water, and features a diaphragm which remains nearly circular from 4 to 8.-Audience:The 17-40mm is the least...
  
  
• 20-35mm f/2.8L
  Canon EF 20-35mm lens
  The EF 20-35mm lens is a wide-angle lens made by Canon Inc., with an EF mount. There are two models, an L-series 2.8L and a consumer-grade 3.5-4.5.-Table:-Successor lenses:The 20-35mm lens was followed by two other L-series ultra-wide lenses:...
  
   (Discontinued)

Standard

• 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
• 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM
• 28-70mm f/2.8L USM (Discontinued)
• 28-80mm f/2.8-4.0L USM
  Canon EF 28-80mm lens
  The EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 is a zoom lens produced by Canon Inc. for their series of EOS single-lens reflex cameras. Canon produced eight iterations of the lens from 1989 to 1999....
  
   (Discontinued)

Telephoto

• 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
  Canon EF 28-300mm lens
  The EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens is a superzoom lens made by Canon Inc.This lens has an EF type mount, that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  
• 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM
  Canon EF 35-350mm lens
  The EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM lens is a discontinued telephoto zoom lens manufactured by Canon.This lens has an EF type mount, that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras. It was introduced in January 1993. Featuring the highest magnification of any interchangeable SLR lens at the time, the lens was...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 50-200mm f/3.5-4.5L (Discontinued)
• 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
  Canon EF 70-200mm lens
  The EF 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.The lens comes in five different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths and are L-series lenses.2.8L IS USM2.8L IS II USM2.8L USM4L IS USM4L...
  
  
• 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM
  Canon EF 70-200mm lens
  The EF 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.The lens comes in five different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths and are L-series lenses.2.8L IS USM2.8L IS II USM2.8L USM4L IS USM4L...
  
  
• 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 70-200mm lens
  The EF 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.The lens comes in five different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths and are L-series lenses.2.8L IS USM2.8L IS II USM2.8L USM4L IS USM4L...
  
  
• 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
  Canon EF 70-200mm lens
  The EF 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.The lens comes in five different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths and are L-series lenses.2.8L IS USM2.8L IS II USM2.8L USM4L IS USM4L...
  
  
• 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  Canon EF 70-200mm lens
  The EF 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.The lens comes in five different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths and are L-series lenses.2.8L IS USM2.8L IS II USM2.8L USM4L IS USM4L...
  
  
• 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
  Canon EF 70-300mm lens
  The EF 70-300mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens made by Canon Inc.The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.Three Canon EF telephoto zoom lenses carry the 70-300mm designation. These are the EF 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, EF 70-300mm 4-5.6L IS USM and the EF 70-300mm 4-5.6 IS USM...
  
  
• 80-200mm f/2.8L
  Canon EF 80-200mm lens
  The EF 80-200mm lens is a discontinued telephoto zoom lens made by Canon. The lens has an EF lens mount that fits the EOS line of cameras.-Versions:There are four versions:2.8L lens4.5-5.6 lens4.5-5.6 USM4.5-5.6 II...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 100-300mm f/5.6L
  Canon EF 100-300mm lens
  The EF 100-300mm refers to three telephoto zoom lenses produced by Canon. They are of the EF lens mount that is compatible with the EOS line of cameras.The three versions are:5.65.6L4.5-5.6 USM-Lenses:-References:*...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
  Canon EF 100-400mm lens
  The EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM is a professional EF mount telephoto zoom lens introduced by Canon Inc. in September 1998. It is a high performance tele-photo lens ideal for sports and wildlife photography which has received high ratings from purchasers at Amazon.com and B&H Photo Video.This lens...
  
  
• 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x Extender (Announced)

Wide-angle

• 14mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 14mm lens
  The Canon EF 14mm 2.8L USM is an ultra wide angle prime lens. It is the widest full-frame lens in the Canon EF series. Because it is corrected for a rectilinear projection, the field of view is less than that of the Canon 15mm fisheye....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 14mm f/2.8L II USM
  Canon EF 14mm lens
  The Canon EF 14mm 2.8L USM is an ultra wide angle prime lens. It is the widest full-frame lens in the Canon EF series. Because it is corrected for a rectilinear projection, the field of view is less than that of the Canon 15mm fisheye....
  
  
• 24mm f/1.4L USM
  Canon EF 24mm lens
  Canon Inc. has produced five different 24mm lenses for its Canon EF lens mount. Two are discontinued.* EF 24mm 1.4L USM, introduced December 1997. * EF 24mm 1.4L II USM, introduced December 2008....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 24mm f/1.4L II USM
  Canon EF 24mm lens
  Canon Inc. has produced five different 24mm lenses for its Canon EF lens mount. Two are discontinued.* EF 24mm 1.4L USM, introduced December 1997. * EF 24mm 1.4L II USM, introduced December 2008....
  
  
• 35mm f/1.4L USM
  Canon EF 35mm lens
  The EF 35 mm lenses are two wide angle prime lenses with EF mount made by Canon Inc.The Focal lengths at 35 mm or less are considered wide angle, so the focal length of these lenses are at the long end of the wide angle range. 35mm is most commonly used for group portraits, landscapes,...
  
  

Standard & medium telephoto

• 50mm f/1.0L USM
  Canon EF 50mm lens
  The EF 50mm lenses are a group of normal prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length. These lenses are based on the classic double-Gauss lens, with the f/1.8 being a standard six-element double-Gauss with an air gap and powers between element 2 and 3 and its faster cousins adding...
  
   (Discontinued)
• 50mm f/1.2L USM
  Canon EF 50mm lens
  The EF 50mm lenses are a group of normal prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length. These lenses are based on the classic double-Gauss lens, with the f/1.8 being a standard six-element double-Gauss with an air gap and powers between element 2 and 3 and its faster cousins adding...
  
  
• 85mm f/1.2L USM
  Canon EF 85mm lens
  The EF 85mm lenses are a group of medium telephoto prime lenses made by Canon Inc. that share the same focal length. These lenses have an EF type mount that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 85mm f/1.2L II USM
  Canon EF 85mm lens
  The EF 85mm lenses are a group of medium telephoto prime lenses made by Canon Inc. that share the same focal length. These lenses have an EF type mount that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  

Telephoto

• 135mm f/2.0L USM
• 200mm f/1.8L USM
  Canon EF 200mm lens
  The EF 200mm USM lens is a L-series prime telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. for the EOS line of cameras. Four 200mm primes were made: 1.8, two 2.8, and the most recent 2.0....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 200mm f/2.0L IS USM
  Canon EF 200mm lens
  The EF 200mm USM lens is a L-series prime telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. for the EOS line of cameras. Four 200mm primes were made: 1.8, two 2.8, and the most recent 2.0....
  
  
• 200mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 200mm lens
  The EF 200mm USM lens is a L-series prime telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. for the EOS line of cameras. Four 200mm primes were made: 1.8, two 2.8, and the most recent 2.0....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 200mm f/2.8L II USM
  Canon EF 200mm lens
  The EF 200mm USM lens is a L-series prime telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. for the EOS line of cameras. Four 200mm primes were made: 1.8, two 2.8, and the most recent 2.0....
  
  
• 300mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 300mm lens
  The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
  Canon EF 300mm lens
  The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  
• 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  Canon EF 300mm lens
  The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  
• 300mm f/4.0L USM
  Canon EF 300mm lens
  The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
   (Discontinued)
• 300mm f/4.0L IS USM
  Canon EF 300mm lens
  The EF 300mm lens refers to five telephoto prime lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF type mount which fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  

Super telephoto

• 400mm f/2.8L USM
  Canon EF 400mm lens
  The Canon EF 400mm are four super-telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. These lenses are widely used by sports and wildlife photographers....
  
   (discontinued)
• 400mm f/2.8L II USM
  Canon EF 400mm lens
  The Canon EF 400mm are four super-telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. These lenses are widely used by sports and wildlife photographers....
  
   (discontinued)
• 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
  Canon EF 400mm lens
  The Canon EF 400mm are four super-telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. These lenses are widely used by sports and wildlife photographers....
  
  
• 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  Canon EF 400mm lens
  The Canon EF 400mm are four super-telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. These lenses are widely used by sports and wildlife photographers....
  
  
• 400mm f/5.6L USM
  Canon EF 400mm lens
  The Canon EF 400mm are four super-telephoto lenses made by Canon Inc. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. These lenses are widely used by sports and wildlife photographers....
  
  
• 500mm f/4.5L USM
  Canon EF 500mm lens
  The EF 500mm lenses are a group of super-telephoto prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length.These lenses have an EF type mount, that fit the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
   (discontinued)
• 500mm f/4.0L IS USM
  Canon EF 500mm lens
  The EF 500mm lenses are a group of super-telephoto prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length.These lenses have an EF type mount, that fit the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  
• 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM
  Canon EF 500mm lens
  The EF 500mm lenses are a group of super-telephoto prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length.These lenses have an EF type mount, that fit the Canon EOS line of cameras....
  
  
• 600mm f/4.0L USM
  Canon EF 600mm lens
  The Canon EF 600mm is a super-telephoto lens made by Canon Inc. The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.4L USM lens was released in November 1988 4L IS USM lens was released in September 1999 4L IS II USM lens was announced in February 2011 The IS version has more lens...
  
   (discontinued)
• 600mm f/4.0L IS USM
  Canon EF 600mm lens
  The Canon EF 600mm is a super-telephoto lens made by Canon Inc. The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.4L USM lens was released in November 1988 4L IS USM lens was released in September 1999 4L IS II USM lens was announced in February 2011 The IS version has more lens...
  
  
• 600mm f/4.0L IS II USM
  Canon EF 600mm lens
  The Canon EF 600mm is a super-telephoto lens made by Canon Inc. The lens has an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.4L USM lens was released in November 1988 4L IS USM lens was released in September 1999 4L IS II USM lens was announced in February 2011 The IS version has more lens...
  
  
• 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
  Canon EF 800mm lens
  The Canon EF 800mm 5.6L IS USM lens is a super-telephoto lens by Canon Inc., released at a MSRP of US$11,999.00.-Technical information:The EF 800mm 5.6L IS USM is a professional L series lens released June 2008. This lens is constructed with a magnesium alloy body and mount and with plastic...
  
  
• 1200mm f/5.6L USM
  Canon EF 1200mm lens
  The EF 1200mm 5.6L USM is a super-telephoto prime lens that was made by Canon Inc. It uses an EF mount, and is compatible with the Canon EOS camera range...
  
   (discontinued; was special order only)

Macros

• 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
• 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
  Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens
  The Canon EF 180/3.5L Macro USM lens is the longest macro lens made by Canon in the EF mount and one of only two Canon macro lens that is part of the L series. This lens is compatible with the Canon Extender EF teleconverters.- External links :* * *...
  
  

Tilt-shift

• 17 mm f/4.0L Tilt-Shift
  Canon TS-E 17mm lens
  The Canon TS-E 17 mm 4L is a tilt-shift, ultra-wide-angle prime lens that provides the equivalent of the corresponding view camera front movements on Canon EOS camera bodies...
  
  
• 24mm f/3.5L Tilt-Shift
  TS-E24mm f/3.5L
  The Canon TS-E 24 mm 3.5L II is a tilt-shift, wide-angle prime lens that provides the equivalent of the corresponding view camera front movements on Canon EOS camera bodies...
  
  
• 24 mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift

Canon lens codes

On the back of Canon lenses is a six-digit code, which indicates where the lens was manufactured and when.

Example of a code "UV1212"

The first letter 'U' represents the factory that made the lens. Three possible first letters are:

1. U = Utsunomiya
2. F = Fukushima
3. O = Ōita
   Canon Ōita Factory
   The Canon Ōita Factory in Ōita, Japan, is Canon's main digital imaging product plant and manufactures products such as the PowerShot, IXUS compacts, DSLR cameras, and camcorders. The plant manufactured up to 6.8 million products in 2005....
   
   

The second letter 'V' represent the year of manufacture

• A = 2012, 1986, 1960
• B = 2013, 1987, 1961
• C = 1988, 1962
• D = 1989, 1963
• E = 1990, 1964
• F = 1991, 1965
• G = 1992, 1966
• H = 1993, 1967
• I = 1994, 1968
• J = 1995, 1969
• K = 1996, 1970
• L = 1997, 1971
• M = 1998, 1972
• N = 1999, 1973
• O = 2000, 1974
• P = 2001, 1975
• Q = 2002, 1976
• R = 2003, 1977
• S = 2004, 1978
• T = 2005, 1979
• U = 2006, 1980
• V = 2007, 1981
• W = 2008, 1982
• X = 2009, 1983
• Y = 2010, 1984
• Z = 2011, 1985

The next two digits represent the month of the lens is manufactured.

The last two digits are for internal Canon use.

Therefore the example (pictured) of UV0512 means the lens was made in the Utsunomiya, Japan factory in May 2007.

External links

• At the-digital-picture.com:
  • Canon L Lens Series Information