Canon Date codes gone? Why?

[Zv]

I have never heard of anyone asking for a receipt when buying used. I used to keep my receipts but after I started buying things online I realized there is no need to keep them. Tossed them all. Don't even need it to return an online item these days.

Like PBD said - If I have the original box and packaging and the item is in pristine condition, what more does the buyer need? A piece of paper saying someone bought it at some point in time? What if it was a present? Does that imply it's a stolen good because I don't have a receipt? Nonsense.

edit - I live in Japan where stolen stuff is rare and most people here wouldn't even dream of stealing stuff never mind selling stolen lenses. I've been spoiled! Though, I can see this being more of an issue in other countries where people are perhaps a bit more mistrustful.

 

[TeT]

For resale value I think its irrelevant. Does anyone (serious) buy a used lens without seeing an original reciept from the seller?

I bought over 250 used pieces of camera equipment in the past year, 95% of them lenses, 90% of those sight unseen (pictures). 0% with a receipt. Returned 15 pieces to the sellers.

Sold everyone of them . Only 3 purchasers saw the item before handing over the money. No one saw a receipt. 2 pieces were returned back to me. Both were resold.

Out of all of this only 1 real lens issue that got by me & I was stuck for a small loss.

 

[Loswr]

Does anyone (serious) buy a used lens without seeing an original reciept from the seller?

Are you serious or did you forget the sarcasm tag?

I am dead serious. A market between private people for valueable and easily exchanged electronic goods is excellent for everyone. But if buyers do not insist on seeing receipts they can easily end up helping churn stolen goods.

I personally would never - ever - buy something like a lens without seeing a reciept. This is how our stolen camera gear gets shifted around. I think every buyer should carefully consider the risks involved when buying expensive things from private sellers that are not able to document their purchase. Were I live its a stong norm to ask for reciepts or else many potential buyers will shun the goods like the plague. It is almost always the question I get first if i forgot to say in my add that I have a receipt.

The good thing is that with all the on-line buying and Canon CPS etc. its become much easier to document your stuff.

I have never, ever, had a buyer ask to see my original receipt.

Stolen gear very rarely, if ever, has the original box packaging and accessories. Besides, it would take me about 4 minutes to make a pretty decent B&H receipt. When buying it is all about getting a feeling for the seller, one piece of paper doesn't do anything for me for or against.

But then I sold my 16-35 to the first person who actually looked at it, I showed them test images shot with the lens and I let them try it for 10 days before paying for it, I am just like that.........

+1

I keep packaging. I keep receipts for insurance purposes and no buyer has ever asked for one.

 

[Luds34]

Plus, how would selling 2nd hand work? If you must see a receipt, it's like saying each new purchase has one resale transaction built in, after that, it's used up. I couldn't imagine asking a seller to print me a receipt of our transaction at a coffee shop so that I can resell it again down the road.

The only thing I can think of was one guy asked me to sign a simple transaction statement that I had indeed purchased his camera for $xx as he was a pro videographer and wanted to have some documentation for tax purposes.

 

[fragilesi]

Out of interest do other manufacturers put date codes on their lenses? I'm just curious.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Does anyone (serious) buy a used lens without seeing an original reciept from the seller?

Are you serious or did you forget the sarcasm tag?

I am dead serious. A market between private people for valueable and easily exchanged electronic goods is excellent for everyone. But if buyers do not insist on seeing receipts they can easily end up helping churn stolen goods.

I personally would never - ever - buy something like a lens without seeing a reciept. This is how our stolen camera gear gets shifted around. I think every buyer should carefully consider the risks involved when buying expensive things from private sellers that are not able to document their purchase. Were I live its a stong norm to ask for reciepts or else many potential buyers will shun the goods like the plague. It is almost always the question I get first if i forgot to say in my add that I have a receipt.

The good thing is that with all the on-line buying and Canon CPS etc. its become much easier to document your stuff.

I've sold literally a hundred or more lenses, and only 2 or 3 asked if I had a receipt. I have receipts for lenses I've bought at retail, but generally not for used lenses. I have no concerns about buying a used lens, its pretty easy to tell if a seller is a photographer or not, if they are selling a expensive lens and have no clue, I just pass it up.

 

[Chisox2335]

I recently purchased a new 70 200 F2.8L USM IS II lens and could not find a date code. When I contacted Canon Professional services I was told that Canon has discontinued putting date codes on lenses. What could possibly be the reason for Canon to omit date codes on their lenses? Also, does anyone know when this practice started? I can see this hurting resale values down the road.

For resale value I think its irrelevant. Does anyone (serious) buy a used lens without seeing an original reciept from the seller?

Its very likely Canon just decided they did not need a date code because lenses do not tend to "age" and they can - themselves - see exactly when a lens was produced through the serial number. Writing the date for the questionable pleasure of buyers is therefore only a cost waiting to be eliminated. And savings count in an industry that is under intense profit presure.

BTW what is the date code of your TV, bicycle, printer, refrigerator? No I don't know either. And who cares?

Date codes on Cameras makes more somewhat sense. As far as I know Canon continues with this.

If I buy an item from b&h or adorama I don't ask for the original receipt and the date code is important then

 

[Hjalmarg1]

When i bought my 70-200 f2.8 IS II about 18 mths ago, it didn't have a date code, but my 400 f5.6 which i bought a couple of months back did have one! (UC) ???
In other words, i've no idea what Canon have in mind!

Exactly the same happened to me when I bought my 70-200 f2.8L IS II and later bought my 16-35 f4L IS

 

[mpphoto]

Out of interest do other manufacturers put date codes on their lenses? I'm just curious.

Sigma's Art lenses have the production year on them, for example "014" for 2014.

A Sony E-mount Art lens I bought new from B&H in October 2014 had "013" on it. This could be a reason why a manufacturer stops using a date code. A picky consumer may complain to a retailer about getting a new lens that is two years old.

 

[nc0b]

Certainly condition is paramount, but on the other hand, I prefer to know the approximate age of a lens or camera body. It would seem there must be some kind of lubrication on moving parts that could degrade. When I decided to by a 400mm f/5.6 lens, I realized a used one could be over 20 years old, and not be drastically less expensive than a new one. After inquiring of the date code on several samples of that lens available locally on Craigslist over a few months, I decided it didn't make sense to me to buy a 10 to 15 year old unit. Thank goodness for the date code in this case.

 

[fragilesi]

Out of interest do other manufacturers put date codes on their lenses? I'm just curious.

Sigma's Art lenses have the production year on them, for example "014" for 2014.

A Sony E-mount Art lens I bought new from B&H in October 2014 had "013" on it. This could be a reason why a manufacturer stops using a date code. A picky consumer may complain to a retailer about getting a new lens that is two years old.

Thanks, I was just curious.

And I can't resist suggesting that the date on the Sony lens was actually a "Best Before" date ;D.

 

[leichenmuehle]

... yesterday i have bought a new EF 200mm 2.8 L II, it was brand market with an "UC" under its barrel.
"UC" Stands for made in 2014.

 

[monkey44]

I'd come down on the side of "condition is more important than age" ... if you have a hobby shooter, you might have a 10-15 year old lens that's had a combined year of weekend use. And conversely, you get a pro out there every single day rain or shine, you get five years of hard use in a year-old lens.

For example: I have a Canon 20-35 lens (no longer in production even, and at least 15 years old) ... probably pulled fifty images thru it. But I'd never give it up, it's a great lens when I need that lens. Otherwise, I need to buy another lens below the 24-105 when that one won't quite get where I want it. I bought it on a whim, just because I thought it would find lots of use, it didn't -- but if I sold it, someone would get a pristine lens Canon does not even build anymore.

 

[Maiaibing]

Plus, how would selling 2nd hand work? If you must see a receipt, it's like saying each new purchase has one resale transaction built in, after that, it's used up.

Interesting how it works in different countries. In Denmark its the norm and Ebay (DBA) specifically advises people to ask for the original receipt to avoid buying stolen goods.

No problem with resells; you get the original or a copy of the reciept from the first seller, who also writes one for the resell, so if you resell it again you just show the two (or the resell is noted on the original bill).

BTW consumer electronics is at the very top of the goods Ebay recommends this for.