We've all seen them – the big white Canon telephoto lenses, usually spotted trackside at major sports events or clutched by wildlife photographers. They're impossible to miss. But if you've ever wondered why so many of these pro lenses aren't black like the rest of your camera gear, the answer is surprisingly simple – and clever.
Canon was the first to do it, way back in the 1960s. It actually started with its broadcast lenses, long before the white look became iconic among photographers. And in 1979, Canon's SLR telephoto lenses adopted the same approach – and it wasn't about style. The real reason? Heat.
