Question: what do the colored rings on canon lenses mean
Answer: 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 , as well as to identify Canon 's lenses ( for example at sporting events ) , though these can be confused with Sony A and Pentax K - mount lenses which are also offered in ( pure ) white .