Canon Lens Serial Number -question

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Date codes on lenses are hit and miss.  Many, if not all new models of "L" lenses introduced in the past two years do not have date codes.  Most older lenses, even non "L" lenses had date codes.
Lenses that have been repaired by Canon often come back without a date code, apparently Canon commonly replaces the part with the code stamped on it.
It appears that eventually date codes will disappear on new lenses, but it might take 10 years.

[scrappydog]

My TS-E 24L II and TS-E 17 do not have date codes.

Interesting. When did you buy your TS-E 24L II?  I bought mine in October, 2010 and it has a date code UY05.  Hard to see, though.

I have had two copies.  My current copy is from November 2011.

[Dylan777]

I received this lens from 1st patch last 4 digits were xx18. The lens was sharp, but it has little vignetting at 24mm. I decided to exchange for another copy.

Replacement arrived on Oct 31th, last 4digits are xxx1932. It's sharp and has same vignetting at 24mm.

[Dylan777]

Lenses are stocked in a warehouse, and not shipped in serial number order, so its entirely possible that low serial numbers may be appearing.  I'd think a low serial number would be very desirable, since they likely did extra QC on the first thousand or so lenses.

-1.....it's fifo system, especially on pre-orders.

-1....on QC. All lenses are inspect the same ways - based min to max provided by test engineer dept. Yes...after MFT reached certian numbers, MFT process might be changed for improvements.

As Neuro stated, new L lenses no longer have "UX etc" date code anymore.

[neuroanatomist]

Seems that date codes are not dropped from all new copies, as I just saw a 100L for sale with a rolled-over date code of UA (= 2012, UZ is 2011).

[tron]

I received this lens from 1st patch last 4 digits were xx18. The lens was sharp, but it has little vignetting at 24mm. I decided to exchange for another copy.

Replacement arrived on Oct 31th, last 4digits are xxx1932. It's sharp and has same vignetting at 24mm.

Since the first was sharp, I believe that you risked a little. All lenses exhibit some vignetting. I have never seen reports of vignetting that varied in different lens copies. YMMV.

[Dylan777]

I received this lens from 1st patch last 4 digits were xx18. The lens was sharp, but it has little vignetting at 24mm. I decided to exchange for another copy.

Replacement arrived on Oct 31th, last 4digits are xxx1932. It's sharp and has same vignetting at 24mm.

Since the first was sharp, I believe that you risked a little. All lenses exhibit some vignetting. I have never seen reports of vignetting that varied in different lens copies. YMMV.

Cructhfield allowed me to keep my 1st lens, while waiting for replacement. I compared both lenses and decided to keep the newer copy

[serendipidy]

What happens to all these recently purchased new lenses (from B&H, Adorama, etc) that are returned or exchanged because the original buyer thought it wasn't good enough? Are they resold as new or refurbished or used? Are they checked out by the original seller? Just wondering

[iaind]

My 2011 8-15L zoom s/n 8200000xxx like most recently introduced lenses does not have date code either stamped or stencilled on.
It would be nice if Canon standardised the position of the serial number.

[zim]

What happens to all these recently purchased new lenses (from B&H, Adorama, etc) that are returned or exchanged because the original buyer thought it wasn't good enough? Are they resold as new or refurbished or used? Are they checked out by the original seller? Just wondering

I'd like to this too, I suspect they are just boxed up and sold on to the first person to come along with lower standards or don't know any better

[Dylan777]

What happens to all these recently purchased new lenses (from B&H, Adorama, etc) that are returned or exchanged because the original buyer thought it wasn't good enough? Are they resold as new or refurbished or used? Are they checked out by the original seller? Just wondering

I'd like to this too, I suspect they are just boxed up and sold on to the first person to come along with lower standards or don't know any better

I doubt it...the lens will be sent back to Canon for further reviews. Could be in refurb bucket I guess.

[DB]

Date codes on lenses are hit and miss.  Many, if not all new models of "L" lenses introduced in the past two years do not have date codes.  Most older lenses, even non "L" lenses had date codes.
Lenses that have been repaired by Canon often come back without a date code, apparently Canon commonly replaces the part with the code stamped on it.
It appears that eventually date codes will disappear on new lenses, but it might take 10 years.

7-digit serial will be accompanied by a date code like UAxxxx
10-digit serials will not have an additional date code (built-in to serial)

edit: obviously until all 7-digit serial lenses are 'discontinued' then the UA (2012), UB (2013) UC (2014) et cetera date codes will remain, until eventually all Canon lenses will have 10-digit serial numbers