Has 70-200 f/4L always been beige?

Just out of curiousity and of no practical use at all ...

While deciding whether to order a 70-200 I came across a LOT of threads talking about why this (and other L lenses) were white. When my 70-200 arrived early this month I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't white at all. Rather it's more of a beige. Very stylish and completely inoffensive.

I did a forum search and only found one thread that talks about this. Were these lenses every truely white? When I look at earlier reviews (e.g. http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html) it certainly does look whiter than white. It's even white on the official Canon page at http://consumer.usa.ca​non.com …tegoryid=150&mo​delid=7345. But the current B&H web photos clearly show that none of the 70-200 lenses are white. Given all the amusing theories about why the L lenses are white, is this Canon's attempt to kill an urban legend?

mine isn't white

Neither's my F2.8, maybe someone has some white ballance issues

Mine isn't white either...

Hmm. Maybe it's just that the word "beige" is a synonymous with "mediocre". Yes Tim - maybe it is just a case of white balance - but you'd think Canon's shot would have been more accurate. Someone get them some Pringles

Ah well, at least it was a good thing that it wasn't what I expected. Thanks for your responses guys.

The very question I asked too
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=71587

Great minds think alike? Looks like you solved the puzzle. Funny. I did a Forum Search with "70-200 beige" and some variations, but didn't find your thread. Nice one anyone, thanks. And as for someone asking what the point of the thread is - well, let's not get started on all the threads about the red rings ...

Now come on.....

Everybody knows that NEW Canon L lenses (except for the black ones) are all white!

The one you got must have been used and laying in the sun for some time already (some kind of a sun tan maybe?).

Funny when i got my new EF100-400 L IS, guess what...
It was´nt white either !!!

ED

there are two production lines for the Canon L lenses in Japan ... for smoking and non-smoking assembly workers.

...and those that wash their hands after visiting the restroom and those...

Graham

xuxu1 wrote:
Now come on.....

Everybody knows that NEW Canon L lenses (except for the black ones) are all white!

The one you got must have been used and laying in the sun for some time already (some kind of a sun tan maybe?).

Funny when i got my new EF100-400 L IS, guess what...
It was´nt white either !!!

ED

Check your camera - are you sure it's black?
Would you object if it wasn't?

Yes, they are all off-white/beige/cream colored. I started a similar thread before I purchased my first L lens, because every other lens looked white on B&H's site except for the one I was buying, so I thought I was buying the gray version or something.

Here's the photo on B&H for the 300/4L and in actuality it's just about the same color as my 70-200/2.8L.

pcasciola wrote:
Yes, they are all off-white/beige/cream colored. I started a similar thread before I purchased my first L lens, because every other lens looked white on B&H's site except for the one I was buying, so I thought I was buying the gray version or something.

Here's the photo on B&H for the 300/4L and in actuality it's just about the same color as my 70-200/2.8L.

snip

That is a much more honest representation than the pure white lenses on canon's site!

It's because most photographers are male. Men think in primary and secondary colours and the major shades. Red, green, blue, black, white, grey I can understand. "Beige" isn't part of my vocabulary. Neither are all those other colours that only seem to exist for women like “amethyst”, “fuchsia”, “taupe” or “mauve”. I have absolutely no idea what those colours are.... never have known and am happy NOT knowing.

So... my big "L"s are lighter than black, are not obviously blue or green therefore they must be WHITE! Simple

I'm holding out for flourescent orange!