EF-S 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5 USM - No Date Code

I'm considering buying a EF-S 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5 USM lens off someone. He wants $575 and is the second owner. I've seen a few shots from it and they seem ok. I asked him for a lens code and he says it doesn't have one, but he can provide me with a serial number. Will that do me any good? Will it tell me anything? Grey market? Year?

Where can I look up a Canon lens serial number?

Thanks,
Tony

this is my lens photo
you can see the serial in the same place but down

EF-S lenses don't have a date code. Serial number will only potentially let you know if it's stolen.

Even L lenses dont have date codes any more.

A lens is a lens...date codes don't matter *TOO* much...if it's in good shape, and works well, buy it.

MG, not sure what you mean. ?? He says he can provide me with a serial, but I need to know if it can do me any good in helping me get details about it.


Beautiful lens BTW.

Have never concerned myself with serial numbers of a used lens. If you as a buyer do proper due diligence on the seller, it should not matter.

Just like anything, care and maintenance are way more important than age. Hell, I've been around for 55 years and I still work just fine.

Serial number only helps to prove that the lens is yours mentioned the bill
this helps when it stolen from you

Seller has only sold 21 items at 100% feedback and he forwarded me 5 images. He says that the lens has no fungus, scratches, etc. What more should I know?

Thanks

Serial helps too
when you but your lens with other friends lenses
to know your lens
i write all the serials for my lenses in a note

Ynot wrote in post #15216101
Seller has only sold 21 items at 100% feedback and he forwarded me 5 images. He says that the lens has no fungus, scratches, etc. What more should I know?

Thanks

That's about all you can ask - if he's the second owner he can't make any promises about what happened to the lens before he owned it. Obviously, if you meet him in person, make sure you bring a camera body and test it out in person; if you're buying remotely, don't use Paypal gift. But, at a certain point you're just going to have to trust the guy.

Thanks all. Ended up with a great deal from a solid POTN member.