No Serial number!

[Stocky]

Is it normal to get a camera with no serial number on it? I just got a 400D and the bottom has the part number on it, but the serial number area is empty! As far as I know the camera came from UAE if that helps any.
Are all of the cameras sold with no warranty like this?

[bbeck4x4]

you can take a photo with it and look at the metadata it will be in there.

[Stocky]

I couldn't find it in the metadata, but your idea got me thinking and I opened up the EOS utility and that confirmed that it does have a normal SN just a little higher than on my XTI. I wonder why it just isn't printed on he body.

[DStanic]

Is it refurbished or something?

[Stocky]

Not as far as I know. Why do the refurbished ones come with no serial number?

[DStanic]

Not as far as I know. Why do the refurbished ones come with no serial number?

Maybe if they replace the shell of the body, just a guess I have no idea...

[Moppie]

Where did you get it from?


A couple of years ago no, a container of new Canon products was stolen on it's way to somewhere in Asia.
New 350Ds then started to show up here in the NZ market, in a local retailer that Parallel imports, for a much, much cheaper than recommended retail.
One of these cameras stopped working, and the owner took it into Canon, who very quickly worked out that the serial number sticker on the bottom of the camera was fake.
They found the real serial number in the camera, and traced it back to one that was in the stolen container.

[Stocky]

Unfortunately I can't really trace mine with out talking to Canon about it. I am in Iraq and because of restrictions on my funds I have to buy everything in cash from a local vendor. That means I ended up paying someone to drive to UAE so that they could sell it to me here in Kirkuk. There aren't any service centers nearby either though, and I haven't figured out what I will do if I have problems with it yet.

[Moppie]

So it is technically a black market camera?
Which could mean it has come from anywhere, and might not be totally legit.

They are generally quite reliable though, so just use it, and hope it doesn't break.

[Stocky]

I don't know if its black market or not. This is about as legitimate as stuff gets around here. Maybe I should email Canon and see what they come back with.

[DocFrankenstein]

I'd just assume it's stolen and simply shoot with it until it breaks.

[DStanic]

I'd just assume it's stolen and simply shoot with it until it breaks.

At least he didn't buy a 5D, 1Ds III or something very expensive that was black market (if that's the case).

[Stocky]

For what it cost I would have got a 5D any where else. Prices of things are pretty good here unless you want something specific or something nice.