How old is my lens?

I have a 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens which I bought dirt cheap from a friend who recently got deployed for military (which is why I can't contact him right now). It looks basically brand new and has no scratches, dings, or signs of wear.

On the rear element, numbers are 2308279. From what I read on the internet, there should be letters in the beginning follow by numbers. Mine doesn't have any.

Can anyone help me out?

look on the side of the lens near the mount. there should be a 10 digit serial etched into the lens body.

in this linkyou can see a number on the bottom side of the lens near the mount.

use that number and this websiteto determine your date

pdrober2 wrote in post #15468524
look on the side of the lens near the mount. there should be a 10 digit serial etched into the lens body.

in this linkyou can see a number on the bottom side of the lens near the mount.

use that number and this websiteto determine your date

Besides the numbers found near the rear element, I can't find anything else. There's no serial numbers engraved into the body like the picture you posted.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1173509

N.V.M. wrote in post #15468826
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1173509

Ah thank you. So basically there's no date code. Sucks...

My macro 100mm 2.8L IS USM has a date code of UY0401, etched into the black ring opposite the electric contacts.

Not sure why folks are so obsessed the the manufacturing date...if you found a car made in 1999 with 10,000 miles on it owned by a little old lady who only drove to church, would it really matter that much?! (Of course, ignoring the issue of spare parts...a car in 1999 uses very different parts than the same model car made 15 years later while the 70-200 f/4 zoom uses the same parts as one made in 2013.) Version differences might well matter, but if there is only a single version, why does the year matter?

Wilt wrote in post #15472975
Not sure why folks are so obsessed the the manufacturing date...

Same here.
The more important question is...
Does the lens work?
If it does, it doesn't matter how old it is.

Wilt wrote in post #15472975
Not sure why folks are so obsessed the the manufacturing date...if you found a car made in 1999 with 10,000 miles on it owned by a little old lady who only drove to church, would it really matter that much?! (Of course, ignoring the issue of spare parts...a car in 1999 uses very different parts than the same model car made 15 years later while the 70-200 f/4 zoom uses the same parts as one made in 2013.) Version differences might well matter, but if there is only a single version, why does the year matter?

Its for if I ever sell the lens. If someone else is selling the exact same lens as me, perfect condition, but theirs has a date code and marks the lens as 1 year old, people would definitely purchase the 1 year old lens because my lens' age can't be determined. Could be 10 years old, could be 1 year. Yes, both will shoot quality photos, but it's just people would rather know the date when buying.

It's at least 5 years old, probably more like 10-15 if you got it cheap.

Seriously how old do you think it could be? 100L? I think they started making them in 2009 didn't they?

the lens came out in 2009...so think of it of being at least under 3 1/2 years old....

fashionrider wrote in post #15468421
I have a 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens which I bought dirt cheap from a friend who recently got deployed for military (which is why I can't contact him right now). It looks basically brand new and has no scratches, dings, or signs of wear.

On the rear element, numbers are 2308279. From what I read on the internet, there should be letters in the beginning follow by numbers. Mine doesn't have any.

Can anyone help me out?

I just realized that we are talking about the L version of the 100 macro.

Yes, it has a date Code, but it may be difficult to spot.

msowsun wrote in post #15474165
I just realized that we are talking about the L version of the 100 macro.

Yes, it has a date Code, but it may be difficult to spot.

Mine has no numbers on the black portion at the mouth where your pic has circled in red. However, there is 2308279 along the silver metallic part where the silver screws are located.

fashionrider wrote in post #15475062
Mine has no numbers on the black portion at the mouth where your pic has circled in red. However, there is 2308279 along the silver metallic part where the silver screws are located.

The date code should be on the opposite side. If you have a 7 digit serial number, you should have a date code. If you don't, Canon may have accidently left it off.

Post a pic of the rear contact ring, preferably full-res