Serial number on 100-400 L IS

[Kell]

Morning all,

Just trying to get the serial number for the above lens which I bought second hand. (So I've got a record for insurance etc)

I've got two things which look like possibles,

One is stamped into the lens barrel in black.

263075

And the other is on the mount in white.

US0108

The second one looks the most likely - according to this site: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

But when I try and register it on the Canon site, it says it doesn't look right.

So, which is correct and what do they mean?

Thanks in advance.

 

[admirable]

It's the 1st one, the second is the date code info

 

[andrewc]

It says on the site you reference that in order to work out date of manufacture, its either a 10 digit serial code on newer lenses, or a seperate date code on older lenses. In your case 263075 is the serial number and US0108 is the date / identifier.

 

[4wd]

Would it also appear in more detailed exif data.
I seem to remember some stolen lenses being located using this.

 

[Kell]

Thanks all.

 

[StewartR]

Would it also appear in more detailed exif data.
I seem to remember some stolen lenses being located using this.

No, it won't, at least not on the 100-400mm Mk I. Newer Canon lenses do encode the serial number into the EXIF data, but older designs like that one don't.

It is definitely possible to locate stolen lenses using the serial number in the EXIF. (Don't ask how I know this.)

 

[Kell]

It says on the site you reference that in order to work out date of manufacture, its either a 10 digit serial code on newer lenses, or a seperate date code on older lenses. In your case 263075 is the serial number and US0108 is the date / identifier.

I just got a bit confused as I’ve seen other threads where people have asked for serial numbers so they can date the lens.

So I thought maybe the date thing might be the number.

All good thank you.

 

[StewartR]

I just got a bit confused as I’ve seen other threads where people have asked for serial numbers so they can date the lens.

Ah. With newer Canon lenses, you can use the serial number to date it. For example I've just bought an RF 70-200mm, and the serial number starts with 81 which means it was manufactured in September 2019.

Basically - if your lens has a serial number with 4 to 7 digits, there is a separate date code. If your lens has a serial number with 10 digits, the first two digits are the date code.

More detail here: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx