Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

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OCGO
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p.1 #1 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me figure out why my 300L 2.8 IS version 1 is missing the date code. It was the first lens I ever purchased (about 5 years ago) and I was completely ignorant at the time of how to inspect a used lens. It hasn't been an issue until now, I'm trying to sell it. Its a great lens and performs flawlessly but I'm getting extremely low balled because of the missing date code, which I can kind of understand. If anyone has any ideas why it would be missing I would appreciate it, thanks!

Feb 07, 2013 at 04:04 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #2 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Are you sure that you look at the right spot on the lens?

Feb 07, 2013 at 04:10 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #3 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

On later lenses the fabrication code was engraved/embossed on the mount plastic insert, opposite the electronic contacts. Earlier lenses might have had the code stencilled with white paint in the same spot.

There are a few possible causes of you lens code missing:
* Canon failed to mark the lens with its code in the factory.
* The mount insert was replaced in the course of servicing the lens.
* The stencilled code might have been rubbed off.

You should be able to arrive at the year of its fabrication based on the lens serial number.

Feb 07, 2013 at 04:17 AM

akcabinguy
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p.1 #4 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

How much are you asking?

Feb 07, 2013 at 04:44 AM

OCGO
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p.1 #5 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Lars Johnsson wrote:
Are you sure that you look at the right spot on the lens?

Hi Lars, yes, I should've mentioned that. I have other L lenses so I know where to look and what it looks like, thanks.

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:45 AM

OCGO
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p.1 #6 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

PetKal wrote:
On later lenses the fabrication code was engraved/embossed on the mount plastic insert, opposite the electronic contacts. Earlier lenses might have had the code stencilled with white paint in the same spot.

There are a few possible causes of you lens code missing:
* Canon failed to mark the lens with its code in the factory.
* The mount insert was replaced in the course of servicing the lens.
* The stencilled code might have been rubbed off.

You should be able to arrive at the year of its fabrication based on the lens serial number.

Thanks PetKal. The mount being replaced was the only thing I could come up with. Using the serial number how would I come up with the year it was made?

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:54 AM

OCGO
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p.1 #7 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

akcabinguy wrote:
How much are you asking?

$3600, but I have it listed locally.

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:56 AM

DomoFoto
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p.1 #8 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Serial numbers on the 300mm 2.8 IS were issued sequentially so you could cross reference serials and date codes with other owners and could come up with a good guesstimation of when yours was manufactured.

OCGO wrote:
PetKal wrote:
On later lenses the fabrication code was engraved/embossed on the mount plastic insert, opposite the electronic contacts. Earlier lenses might have had the code stencilled with white paint in the same spot.

There are a few possible causes of you lens code missing:
* Canon failed to mark the lens with its code in the factory.
* The mount insert was replaced in the course of servicing the lens.
* The stencilled code might have been rubbed off.

You should be able to arrive at the year of its fabrication based on the lens serial number.

Thanks PetKal. The mount being replaced was the only thing I could come up with. Using the serial number how would I come up with the year it was made?

Feb 07, 2013 at 06:17 AM

OCGO
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p.1 #9 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

DomoFoto wrote:
Serial numbers on the 300mm 2.8 IS were issued sequentially so you could cross reference serials and date codes with other owners and could come up with a good guesstimation of when yours was manufactured.

OCGO wrote:
PetKal wrote:
On later lenses the fabrication code was engraved/embossed on the mount plastic insert, opposite the electronic contacts. Earlier lenses might have had the code stencilled with white paint in the same spot.

There are a few possible causes of you lens code missing:
* Canon failed to mark the lens with its code in the factory.
* The mount insert was replaced in the course of servicing the lens.
* The stencilled code might have been rubbed off.

You should be able to arrive at the year of its fabrication based on the lens serial number.

Thanks PetKal. The mount being replaced was the only thing I could come up with. Using the serial number how would I come up with the year it was made?

Awesome DomoFoto, thank you, I'll try that.

Feb 07, 2013 at 06:49 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #10 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

My 300/2.8L IS has date code UU (2006), and S/N 315xx.

Feb 07, 2013 at 11:29 AM

convergent
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p.1 #11 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Mine has a date code of US (2004), and S/N of 272xx.

Feb 07, 2013 at 01:24 PM

OCGO
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p.1 #12 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it, this is so helpful.
My serial number is 362xx.

Also, let me ask you this, what would you do price wise if you were selling this lens? As far as coming down b/c of the missing date code and not knowing the story behind it, if had been repaired at some time....
It has some paint rubbing on the tripod collar and hood, but performs beautifully, and I have all the accessories it came with, the leather case, hard case with keys and instruction manual.

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:20 PM

lhdvries
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p.1 #13 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

We're getting closer-my 300/2.8 lis has code UU03xx (March 2006) & serial nbr of early 325xx

Leon

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:40 PM

PetKal
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p.1 #14 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

OCGO wrote:
Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it, this is so helpful.
My serial number is 362xx.

That could be 2008-2009 vintage ?

Feb 07, 2013 at 05:49 PM

convergent
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p.1 #15 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

I'm guessing 2008... seem to be going about 2-3K per year.

As for price, I just bought one of these used and I don't think I would have expected to pay less for it because of the missing date code... I may have been more cautious about it but would be more concerned price-wise with condition overall. The fact that its pretty new is going to help you with resale.

Feb 07, 2013 at 07:38 PM

Mickey
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p.1 #16 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Mine is UV 0318. Serial number 364xx. The number is on the black plastic insert and if the lens has been to Canon for any maintenance that may have been replaced. I know because its happened to a lens on mine. I agree with Petkal, 2008 or 2009 sounds about right.

Feb 07, 2013 at 07:49 PM

BenV
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p.1 #17 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

the 300 f/2.8 was the first lens you ever purchased? What a way to start photography...

Feb 07, 2013 at 08:20 PM

lhdvries
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p.1 #18 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Mickey wrote:
Mine is UV 0318. Serial number 364xx. The number is on the black plastic insert and if the lens has been to Canon for any maintenance that may have been replaced. I know because its happened to a lens on mine. I agree with Petkal, 2008 or 2009 sounds about right.

Actually, if your serial nbr is 364xx and the OP's nbr is 362xx, it appears that his was made before yours & would probably be a UV code also or 2007. Am I wrong in thnking that? I know - not important, I am just trying to double check my code chart.

Leon

Feb 07, 2013 at 08:24 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #19 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

I agree with Leon.

Here's a scatter plot of the data posted to date (open circle symbols), and with the unknown date of OCGO's plotted on the straight line fit as a solid triangle, at the correct serial number. The left- and right-most points show a one-year spread, because only the letters of their date codes are known.

OCGO's lens date code was almost certainly UV, most likely UV03xx or UV02xx.

Cheers, Jim

P.S. the right-most UX (2009) lens is the one I sold last year.

P.P.S. this assumes that the first two digits of the date code (after the two letters) are the month, as mentioned earlier by Leon; I don't recall hearing this before, but the data sure fits.

Feb 07, 2013 at 08:55 PM

OCGO
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p.1 #20 · Canon 300L 2.8 IS missing a date code

Thank you everyone, investigating down to a likely year is more than I expected when I posted last night and I appreciate all your input, I even got a graph! I can confidentially stick to my price and wait for the right person to come along.

Feb 08, 2013 at 12:13 AM

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