70-200 f2.8isII no date code

I just realized my 2week old 70-200 2.8isII bought brand new from amazon does NOT have a date code. I noticed someone selling theirs also didn't have a date code. Anyone else notice this?

All 70-200mm f/2.8L II manufactured in the last few months don't have a date code, just a 10 digit serial number. It's the only lens that's changed in that regard as I've bought two other L lenses that still have the code. It's perfectly normal, but I don't know why Canon have changed it. They all come with CDs now instead of a booklet.

Sir_Loin wrote in post #11604629
All 70-200mm f/2.8L II manufactured in the last few months don't have a date code, just a 10 digit serial number. It's the only lens that's changed in that regard as I've bought two other L lenses that still have the code. It's perfectly normal, but I don't know why Canon have changed it. They all come with CDs now instead of a booklet.

It might be not 70-200 specific
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
"New for mid-2010 is that Canon's lenses are arriving with a longer 10-digit serial number and absent the previously standard date code. There is no date code visible on my Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens."

Andrew_WOT wrote in post #11604716
It might be not 70-200 specific
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
"New for mid-2010 is that Canon's lenses are arriving with a longer 10-digit serial number and absent the previously standard date code. There is no date code visible on my Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens."

Thanks for the up, I hadn't seen that. Possibly going to be common practice in the future then.

+1 for me, my new 70-200 MkII does not have the standard date code.

So at least there is a couple of us

bwerd wrote in post #11604815
+1 for me, my new 70-200 MkII does not have the standard date code.

So at least there is a couple of us

3 of us, me too

Does anyone know if this might apply to the 300mm f2.8 IS mk1? I received mine at Christmas , but I'm darned if I can find a date code anywhere on the lens. Perhaps it's just well hidden - or possibly I need better specs!

Neil

Just got mine (70-200 mrkII) today from from BH and it is the 10 digit serial number and no date code. The color looks a bit darker, closer to my f4 of the same lens.

It is a faulty lens. Best mail it to me asap.

gasrocks wrote in post #11635192
It is a faulty lens. Best mail it to me asap.

+1

gasrocks wrote in post #11635192
It is a faulty lens. Best mail it to me asap.

Probably stolen and somebody filed off the date code! If you're afraid of the "lens police", I'll gladly hide it for you.

Wow, I appreciate the kind offers to hide and take my new "faulty" 70-200 MrkII off my hands, but I think I will take my chances with it. I will be putting it through it's paces this weekend on the ranch in far SW Texas. Hopefully it works as advertised. However, I would like to know why they stopped putting the date code on these lenses and what the impact might be on future resell. If anybody has any ideas, please enlighten us. Thanks!

My guess is that with no date code it will stop customers complaining about buying stock that has been sat on the shelves for months. I am sure the new code could be cross referenced to a manufacture date by canon though.

ChewieT wrote in post #11637618
My guess is that with no date code it will stop customers complaining about buying stock that has been sat on the shelves for months. I am sure the new code could be cross referenced to a manufacture date by canon though.

I agree. The date code issue is a pain when it comes to sale/resale. A lens with a UT date code in perfect condition couldn't stand a chance against a UY lens with a scratch on the glass. It creates unnecessary expectations of having a newer lens instead of a cleaner or sharper copy.