Serial Numbers, and the lack thereof

I've noticed that most Canon lenses have serial numbers, but some don't. My 100mm macro doesn't, I think the T/S lenses don't have them, and I'm sure there are others.

Without a serial number, how does Canon know whether or not it's a grey market lens, or whether or not it's still under warranty? Of course an older lens wouldn't matter, but if you had a 4 year old T/S that needed servicing, how would they know it was out of warranty?

are you sure you're not just missing it? my older 100mm macro non USM has the serial number etched into the black on the mount...it's right across from the electrical contacts...take a flash light at an angle and you should be able to see it...it's definitely hard to see

First of all there are extensive electronics in those lenses so it would not be out of the question to embed the number on a chip that would be read electronically.

The best guide to physically where these numbers are located on various Canon products is at http://cpn.canon-europe.com …system/cps_barc​ode_v2.pdf.

DreDaze wrote in post #16369931
are you sure you're not just missing it? my older 100mm macro non USM has the serial number etched into the black on the mount...it's right across from the electrical contacts...take a flash light at an angle and you should be able to see it...it's definitely hard to see

that's the first place I looked. Also nowhere on the body.

John from PA wrote in post #16370035
First of all there are extensive electronics in those lenses so it would not be out of the question to embed the number on a chip that would be read electronically.

The best guide to physically where these numbers are located on various Canon products is at http://cpn.canon-europe.com …system/cps_barc​ode_v2.pdf.

Well that makes obvious sense!