Canon L lens
![]() | This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. (March 2009) |
Canon's series of L lenses (Luxury lenses) are a professional line of
Characteristics
Canon L series lenses have a distinctive red ring around the lens barrel and the letter "L" after the lens name.

Larger sized L-lenses, such as the 70–200 mm, 100–400 mm zooms, and longer focal length primes (300 mm+), usually have an off-white barrel to reduce heat absorption under the sun that may otherwise affect the performance of the lens.[3]
Wide angle L-lenses typically have a gelatin filter holder on the mounting collar of the lens, which allows a gelatin to be installed behind the lens. Some telephoto L-lenses, such as the EF 70-200mm zoom lenses, or the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM do not have rear gelatin filter holders. Super-telephoto lenses such as the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, or the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM have a rear 52mm drop-in filter holder which can be used to hold gelatin type filters.
According to Canon, its L series lenses:
Incorporating specialized optical materials such as synthetic fluorite, Super UD and UD glass, and large-aperture high-precision aspherical lenses, only lenses that perform to the highest photographic standards are allowed to bear the designation ‘L’.[1]
Lenses
EF mount zoom lenses
Name | Category | Min focal length mm | Max focal length mm | Max aperture at min focal length f/ | Max aperture at max focal length f/ | Weight g | USM | IS | Current product |
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8-15mm f/4L USM fisheye | Wide-angle | 8 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 540 | ![]() |
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11-24mm f/4L USM
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Wide-angle | 11 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 1180 | ![]() |
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16-35mm f/2.8L USM | Wide-angle | 16 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 600 | ![]() |
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16-35mm f/2.8L II USM | Wide-angle | 16 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 640 | ![]() |
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16-35mm f/2.8L III USM | Wide-angle | 16 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 790 | ![]() |
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16-35mm f/4L IS USM | Wide-angle | 16 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 615 | ![]() |
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17-35mm f/2.8L USM | Wide-angle | 17 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 545 | ![]() |
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17-40mm f/4.0L USM | Wide-angle | 17 | 40 | 4 | 4 | 500 | ![]() |
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20-35mm f/2.8L | Wide-angle | 20 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 570 | |||
24-70mm f/2.8L USM
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Standard | 24 | 70 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 950 | ![]() |
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24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
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Standard | 24 | 70 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 805 | ![]() |
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24-70mm f/4L IS USM
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Standard | 24 | 70 | 4 | 4 | 600 | ![]() |
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24-105mm f/4L IS USM | Standard | 24 | 105 | 4 | 4 | 670 | ![]() |
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24-105mm f/4L IS II USM | Standard | 24 | 105 | 4 | 4 | 795 | ![]() |
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28-70mm f/2.8L USM | Standard | 28 | 70 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 880 | ![]() |
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28-80mm f/2.8-4.0L USM | Standard | 28 | 80 | 2.8 | 4 | 945 | ![]() |
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28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM | Telephoto | 28 | 300 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1670 | ![]() |
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35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM
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Telephoto | 35 | 350 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1385 | ![]() |
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50-200mm f/3.5-4.5L | Telephoto | 50 | 200 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 690 | |||
70-200mm f/4.0L USM
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 4 | 4 | 705 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 4 | 4 | 760 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/4.0L IS II USM[4]
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 4 | 4 | 780 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/2.8L USM
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1310 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1470 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1490 | ![]() |
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70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM[5]
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Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1480 | ![]() |
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70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM | Telephoto | 70 | 300 | 4 | 5.6 | 1050 | ![]() |
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80-200mm f/2.8L | Telephoto | 80 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1330 | |||
100-300mm f/5.6L | Telephoto | 100 | 300 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 695 | |||
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM | Telephoto | 100 | 400 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 1590 | ![]() |
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100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | Telephoto | 100 | 400 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 1640 | ![]() |
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200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x Extender | Telephoto | 200 | 400 | 4 | 4 | 3620 | ![]() |
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EF mount prime lenses
Name | Category | Focal length mm | Max aperture f/ | USM | IS | Current product |
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14mm f/2.8L USM | Wide-angle | 14 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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14mm f/2.8L II USM | Wide-angle | 14 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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24mm f/1.4L USM | Wide-angle | 24 | 1.4 | ![]() |
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24mm f/1.4L II USM | Wide-angle | 24 | 1.4 | ![]() |
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35mm f/1.4L USM | Wide-angle | 35 | 1.4 | ![]() |
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35mm f/1.4L II USM | Wide-angle | 35 | 1.4 | ![]() |
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50mm f/1.0L USM | Standard | 50 | 1 | ![]() |
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50mm f/1.2L USM | Standard | 50 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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85mm f/1.2L USM | Medium telephoto | 85 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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85mm f/1.2L II USM | Medium telephoto | 85 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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85mm f/1.4L IS USM | Medium telephoto | 85 | 1.4 | ![]() |
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135mm f/2.0L USM
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Telephoto | 135 | 2 | ![]() |
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200mm f/1.8L USM | Telephoto | 200 | 1.8 | ![]() |
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200mm f/2.0L IS USM | Telephoto | 200 | 2 | ![]() |
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200mm f/2.8L USM | Telephoto | 200 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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200mm f/2.8L II USM | Telephoto | 200 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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300mm f/2.8L USM | Telephoto | 300 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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300mm f/2.8L IS USM | Telephoto | 300 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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300mm f/2.8L IS II USM | Telephoto | 300 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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300mm f/4.0L USM | Telephoto | 300 | 4 | ![]() |
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300mm f/4.0L IS USM | Telephoto | 300 | 4 | ![]() |
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400mm f/2.8L USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400mm f/2.8L II USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400mm f/2.8L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400mm f/2.8L IS II USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400mm f/2.8L IS III USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400mm f/5.6L USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 5.6 | ![]() |
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500mm f/4.5L USM | Super-telephoto | 500 | 4.5 | ![]() |
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500mm f/4.0L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 500 | 4 | ![]() |
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500mm f/4.0L IS II USM | Super-telephoto | 500 | 4 | ![]() |
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600mm f/4.0L USM | Super-telephoto | 600 | 4 | ![]() |
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600mm f/4.0L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 600 | 4 | ![]() |
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600mm f/4.0L IS II USM | Super-telephoto | 600 | 4 | ![]() |
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600mm f/4.0L IS III USM | Super-telephoto | 600 | 4 | ![]() |
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800mm f/5.6L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 800 | 5.6 | ![]() |
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1200mm f/5.6L USM | Super-telephoto | 1200 | 5.6 | ![]() |
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100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | Macro | 100 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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180mm f/3.5L Macro USM | Macro | 180 | 3.5 | ![]() |
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17mm f/4.0L Tilt-Shift | Tilt-shift | 17 | 4 | ![]() | ||
24mm f/3.5L Tilt-Shift
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Tilt-shift | 24 | 3.5 | |||
24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift
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Tilt-shift | 24 | 3.5 | ![]() | ||
50mm f/2.8L MACRO Tilt-Shift | Tilt-shift | 50 | 2.8 | ![]() | ||
90mm f/2.8L MACRO Tilt-Shift | Tilt-shift | 90 | 2.8 | ![]() | ||
135mm f/4L MACRO Tilt-Shift | Tilt-shift | 135 | 4 | ![]() |
RF mount zoom lenses
Name | Category | Min focal length mm | Max focal length mm | Max aperture at min focal length f/ | Max aperture at max focal length f/ | USM | IS | Current product |
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10–20mm f/4 L IS STM | Wide-angle | 10 | 20 | 4 | 4 | ![]() |
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14–35 mm f/4L IS USM | Wide-angle | 14 | 35 | 4 | 4 | ![]() |
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15–35 mm f/2.8L IS USM | Wide-angle | 15 | 35 | 2.8 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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24–70 mm f/2.8L IS USM | Standard | 24 | 70 | 2.8 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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24–105 mm f/4L IS USM | Standard | 24 | 105 | 4 | 4 | ![]() |
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24–105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z | Standard | 24 | 105 | 2.8 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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28–70 mm f/2L USM | Standard | 28 | 70 | 2 | 2 | ![]() |
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70–200 mm f/2.8L IS USM | Telephoto | 70 | 200 | 2.8 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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100-300 mm f/2.8L IS USM | Telephoto | 100 | 300 | 2.8 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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100–500 mm f/4.5–7.1L IS USM | Telephoto | 100 | 500 | 4.5 | 7.1 | ![]() |
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RF mount prime lenses
Name | Category | Focal length mm | Max aperture f/ | USM | IS | Current product |
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5.2 mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye 3D VR | Wide-angle | 5.2 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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50 mm f/1.2L USM | Standard | 50 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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85 mm f/1.2L USM | Medium telephoto | 85 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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85 mm f/1.2L USM DS | Medium telephoto | 85 | 1.2 | ![]() |
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100 mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | Macro | 100 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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400 mm f/2.8L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 400 | 2.8 | ![]() |
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600 mm f/4L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 600 | 4 | ![]() |
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800 mm f/5.6L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 800 | 5.6 | ![]() |
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1200 mm f/8L IS USM | Super-telephoto | 1200 | 8 | ![]() |
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Fixed zoom lenses
The
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:
U = Utsunomiya F = Fukushima O = Ōita
The second letter, 'V', represents the year of manufacture
A = 1960, 1986, 2012 B = 1961, 1987, 2013 C = 1962, 1988, 2014 D = 1963, 1989, 2015 E = 1964, 1990, 2016 F = 1965, 1991, 2017 G = 1966, 1992, 2018 H = 1967, 1993, 2019 I = 1968, 1994, 2020 J = 1969, 1995 K = 1970, 1996 L = 1971, 1997 M = 1972, 1998 N = 1973, 1999 O = 1974, 2000 P = 1975, 2001 Q = 1976, 2002 R = 1977, 2003 S = 1978, 2004 T = 1979, 2005 U = 1980, 2006 V = 1981, 2007 W = 1982, 2008 X = 1983, 2009 Y = 1984, 2010 Z = 1985, 2011
The next two digits represent the month the lens was 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.
See also
- Canon EF lens mount
- Canon RF mount
References
- ^ a b "THE L STORY | Canon". Canon: EF/RF L SERIES. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ "Heat Shield Coating | Canon". Canon: EF/RF L SERIES. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ Canon Europa N.V. and Canon Europe Ltd 2002-2015. "Black or White Lenses - Canon Professional Network". Canon Professional Network.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Canon Updates Lineup of EF L-Series Telephoto Zoom Lenses With the Introduction of EF 70-200MM F/4L II USM and EF 70-200MM F/2.8L IS II USM". usa.canon.com.
- ^ "Canon Updates Lineup of EF L-Series Telephoto Zoom Lenses With the Introduction of EF 70-200MM F/4L II USM and EF 70-200MM F/2.8L IS II USM". usa.canon.com.
External links
- At the-digital-picture.com:
- On Canon Website: