I can't seem to find a Canon date code (you know, the ones with two letters and 4 numbers) on my 100 f/2. Only a 8 number serial number (where normally the date code is engraved).
Is this normal? Can I see when this lens was built based on the serial number?
I have had that lens in the past and as far as i remember that lens had only a serialnumber and no productioncode (The U*/2month digits/2 as far as i know unknown digits, shall be which part of the facility)
Second question, not that i know of, have searched a lot in the past for that.
Daan,
I had that lens until recently and indeed, there was no date code stamp on it. I sold it a month ago because it didn't get used enough. It was actually an excellent lens and it is very compact compared to the monstrous 85mm f/1.2 .
I have had a few non L lenses and in my experience without codes and L with codes.
Ofcourse its only a personal experience. I do have seen a few non L lenses with it, although i have read a bit about it, saw some statements in the past like non L never L always.
I do have a L lens without a date code, what confuses me. I bought it second hand from a doughter who's father died and didnt know anything about photography. Think the bajonet was renewed (85mm L 1.2 MK2) , the mk1 had a date code although the 1 I owned. Al other L lenses, i currently have or had have those date codes/productioncodes. And i have had a few.
Personally I think it has to do with which productionline it has been created (for non L lenses) and mostly in which timeframe.
Because I owned the 35mm f2 for a few months second hand and as far as i rememberd that 1 didnt have any production code eighter. But i have a small doubt there. If you have used a lens for months than i remember such things better.
The non-Ls that have date codes tend to be the older original EF lenses like the 24 2.8, 35 2, 50 1.8 MKI, 135 SF etc. Apparently, Canon decided to stop date coding non-Ls somewhere along the line.
AGeoJO wrote:
Daan,
I had that lens until recently and indeed, there was no date code stamp on it. I sold it a month ago because it didn't get used enough. It was actually an excellent lens and it is very compact compared to the monstrous 85mm f/1.2 .
Ah, you have been reading the other thread... Too bad I didn't get to buy your 100mm f/2. But the one I got now seems to be working OK... I got it for a good price including 3 months of warranty left
Yeah, but I missed that thread previously. Like a few folks there, I prefer the 100mm f/2 over the 85mm f/1.8. It offers a little bit, just a little bit more compressed perspective and narrower coverage but enough to tell the difference from your 85mm f/1.2. It would be my choice since you already have that "fat boy", anyway. Enjoy you non-L lens !
AGeoJO wrote:
Yeah, but I missed that thread previously. Like a few folks there, I prefer the 100mm f/2 over the 85mm f/1.8. It offers a little bit, just a little bit more compressed perspective and narrower coverage but enough to tell the difference from your 85mm f/1.2. It would be my choice since you already have that "fat boy", anyway. Enjoy you non-L lens !
Nope, not yet, and with the 1D Mark4 looming, I may have to skip that altogether . But the introduction of that camera is nothing more than rumors at this point. We will see in a week...
"The non-Ls that have date codes tend to be the older original EF lenses like the 24 2.8, 35 2, 50 1.8 MKI, 135 SF etc. Apparently, Canon decided to stop date coding non-Ls somewhere along the line."
yxl122 wrote:
"The non-Ls that have date codes tend to be the older original EF lenses like the 24 2.8, 35 2, 50 1.8 MKI, 135 SF etc. Apparently, Canon decided to stop date coding non-Ls somewhere along the line."
hmm, my 35/2 has a date code of uv...
Yep, the first EF lenses were introduced in 1986 (UA) and the 35 2 was introduced in 1990 (UE). Apparently once Canon started date coding earlier lenses, they maintained that practice on those particular lenses. Ones introduced later (don't know when the cutoff date was) never had date codes and still don't. That's how I've always understood it. If anyone has more info on this, please chime in.
. 
. But the introduction of that camera is nothing more than rumors at this point. We will see in a week...