Can you date a Canon lens from an 8-digit serial number if it has no date code?
Asked 3/22/2018
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I’m trying to identify the production date of a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. The lens has an 8-digit serial number on the barrel, but there is no separate date code on the mount. I’ve found references saying older Canon lenses may have a separate code, while some newer ones use a 10-digit serial number that may include date information. Since mine only has an 8-digit serial number, is there any reliable way to determine when it was made, or is it not possible without Canon’s help?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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Sorry, there is no way you can date your lens. Not all Canon lenses have date codes, or serial numbers that can be decoded.
Canon might have some master list somewhere but I bet if you were to ask Canon, they would say it’s not possible.
In the past most "L" lenses had 6, 7, or 8 digit serial numbers and separate date codes. Starting in 2008, new designs were introduced with a 10 digit serial number which should contain a date code. Some "L" lenses like the EF 24-105mm have continued with 7 digit serial numbers and separate date codes. I suspect it may have to do with which factory the lens is made in.
"Consumer" lenses are a mixed bag. Some have date codes, and some don't. "Consumer" USM, Micro Motor, and STM AF consumer lenses NEVER have separate date codes. If they are newer lenses with 10 digit serial numbers you can decode the build date.
For some unknown reason, all "Arc Form Drive" consumer lenses always have date codes.
All these older, out of production Arc Form Drive lenses had date codes: (28-70, 35-70, 35-105, 35-135, 50 f/1.8 (original), 70-210, 100-200, 100-300, etc.)
These older designed Arc Form Drive lenses, that until recently were still in production, also continued to have date codes: (24 f/2.8, 28 f/2.8, 35 f/2, 50 f/2.5, 135 f/2.8SF, etc.)
Originally by user39427. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user39427
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In most cases, no—an 8-digit Canon lens serial number without a separate date code cannot be reliably decoded by the public.
Canon lenses are inconsistent across models and factories. Older lenses often had separate date codes, while some newer designs moved to 10-digit serial numbers that may embed production date information. But many consumer lenses are a mixed bag, and not all serial numbers are date-decodable.
So for a lens like the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, if there’s no separate date code and only an 8-digit serial number, any online chart or guess based on the first digits is not dependable.
Your best option is to contact Canon and ask whether they can look up the serial number. If they’re willing to help, they may be able to tell you the production date. Otherwise, you should assume the lens cannot be accurately dated from the serial alone.
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