i would say most lenses are considered pretty cheap compared to canon's. lets take 28-75mm 2.8 for instance. for a constant 2.8, it would be a L lens in canon. damaging you abt 2k+.
whereas Konica Minolta only cost around 400-500.
i think L lenses should be compared with G lenses.. not normal lenses.. not sure about that 28-75 range canon and minolta price comparison.. but minolta 17-35 3.5 G compared to canon 17-40 would be damn ex even if compared to canon 16-35 2.8 L still the minolta more ex..