How to check age/version of lens?

Been looking at and watching a few different used lenses. Most, like on eBay will say used x amount of times, etc. Sometimes they will say perfect condition. However, I find there is rarely a mention of purchase date or age.

So, for example, the 50mm 1.4 lens... Every part number I have come across is the same. Is a lens from 2006 the same as they make now? have there been changes, and if there were, would there be a different part number? And last, is there any way to tell via S/N or anything else an actual age?

Does it even matter? (I just figure if I'm looking at spending $300 on something that is $370 new that I'd want it to be up to date with any upgrades/updates.

Howdy Mike,

Here's info on lens date codes: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …ses/canon-lens-aging.aspx

See Ya, Dave

A lot of people seem to think it matters, but in reality it doesn't. The 50 1.4 has been the same lens for a long time. The age really doesn't matter, the amount of use or abuse totally does. The sharpest lens in my bag for long time was the venerable "Magic Drainpipe" 80-200 f/2.8L. It was 15 years old when I bought it, and 21 years old when I sold it to someone who now regards it as their sharpest lens. I purchased the lens used in excellent condition, and sold it to a friend in the same condition. It had always been stored in a bag, the caps used, never abused or bashed around in any way, it was in nearly the same condition it left the factory in some 22 years ago. So you could purchase a lens like that with a 22 year old date code, or you could rely on a date code and purchase a 5 year old lens that had been used by a photojournalist that never used the caps, stored it on the body, and let the body/lens rattle around in his trunk.

Age doesn't matter, use does. Just realize there are some lenses that have been updated and they usually have a number such as a II after the name. The newer 70-200 f/2.8L II is a better lens than the 70-200 f/2.8L, by a little, but the older 70-200 f/2.8L was the de facto standard for that zoom lens in it's day, and it's still a pretty good performer today. So what I'm trying to say is: Decide what focal length(s) you are looking for, decide what your budget is, buy the lens that fits your budget, whether that's a used lens that's 20 years old, or a brand new $$$ lens.

The Canon Camera Museum has all of the information you need to tell ages and models on lenses. After that do some research on each lens as far as sharpness, etc is concerned and go from there. I wouldn't worry about age one iota, as long as the lens was considered a good lens back in the day, then it's still a good lens today, as long has it's been cared for.

Age doesn't really matter.. a lens could be a year old, and used almost 24/7, or 6 years old and only used 1/2 dozen times. Which would you rather buy? Also, believe what the people say regarding usage and care, with a grain of salt... like the cars you always saw for sale, that said " driven easily by older woman".

No, no changes in the 50/1.4, so if that one's in good condition and the price is right, get it. One thing to note on the 50/1.4; the AF can get buggered up easily, all it takes is a rap on the front element or focusing grip... so there is a little gamble buying this lens used. If it has a lens hood included, or was used with one.. it might be/probably is ok.

Date codes really don't mean much..there have been a few lenses released that have had issues/recalls, and having the date code could ensure that yours was purchased before or after said issue. But by and large, don't worry about it. Canon is slowly doing away with date codes anyways, so eventually that will likely be a thing of the past.

Not all Canon lenses have a date code.

Thanks guys. I had assumed that condition meant more than age, but as in other industries sometimes a company puts out a product and then revises it later down the road and either makes it even better or perhaps even worse. I wasn't sure how that worked with lenses, but apparently when a significant change is made they do change the product number with a II or III or whatever.

Now do i want to pull the trigger today or not. Hmmmmm.

The amount a lens is used, where it was used (dusty, hot, humid, ultra cold environments) and how it was stored have meaning more than age alone.

L lenses have date codes, but not sure the new ones do.

Non L lenses dont have date codes.

Canon do 'silent upgrades' for reliability or cost or change in part suppliers etc. But essentially lenses dont change without a change in description.

RobDickinson wrote in post #14531616
L lenses have date codes, but not sure the new ones do.

Non L lenses dont have date codes.

not that it really matters all that much...but there are a few non L lenses that have date codes...my 35f2, 50mm mkI, and 135f2.8 all have date codes...