What does the L mean on a lens? 70-200L?

Aright guys, I'm still fairly new at all this, I know about IS, USM and some other things but I still can't find the significance of the L. I see it everywhere though!! Someone please tell me, why is an L lens so much better? I really appreciate the input.

L means Luxury, its top of the line lens with great IQ (usually anyway)

its better cause it uses higher grade glass, I forget the exact details

The L stands for LOTS of money. Only kidding, I would also like to know. pos

Or LOSS of money when you spend the big bucks for L = Luxury
Regards
Don

I'm not 100% sure on exactly what the L stands for but my personal thought is Luxury. L lenses are better due to overall construction and materials used, not to mention the image quality produced by the lenses. You get what you pay for basically. If you intend on staying with photography for any decent amount of time, invest in good quality built lenses.

Canon isn't your only option either. Sigma offers their EX line but make sure you get an EX lens with their version of USM (HSM). Tamron has good lenses too. Search for a bit before buying a lens and look at some of the images posted with those lenses and finally go out and handle them yourself and see the difference.

My canon L lens is awesome and I have the cheapest L lens you can buy. I plan on getting more but I don't have an unlimited bank account so they will come as I get the funds for them. I also know of at least one person on this site who got rid of an L lens for the same Sigma lens I have. It's all personal preference but if I had it my way, all my lenses would be L quality.

Just my .02

Thanks everyone! Now I really want to go out and buy an L lens. Someday I'll be able to afford one, but for now I'll make do with what I've got. Again, I appreciate all the advice!

Canon L series does stand for Luxury
For Sigma its Ex which is Excellence
Tamron doesnt distinguish their lenses (cus they are all good ;p)

Basically, it means they use higher quality material to build the lens and at a much high cost.
More metal, less plastic. Typically better design features and a high quality assurance which in turn means better glass which means better IQ (image quality)

PS. the 70-200L is known for being a rather good lens.
Its a very good choice if you need that range of zoom

note also there are different 70-200 lenses, the 70-200 2.8 IS is the best one, and of course the most expensive lol

tekkie wrote in post #3002384
note also there are different 70-200 lenses, the 70-200 2.8 IS is the best one, and of course the most expensive lol

not sure if the 2.8 version is better IQ wise than the newly F4 IS.
of course its better for letting in more light which sometimes i wish i had
who knows, maybe someday

jjmucker wrote in post #3002447
not sure if the 2.8 version is better IQ wise than the newly F4 IS.
of course its better for letting in more light which sometimes i wish i had
who knows, maybe someday

IQ wise probably not but its faster for sure