How old is your Canon lens? With either the lens' serial number or date code, that question can be answered.
Colt's Manufacturing Company now serves the civilian market, while Colt Defense serves the law enforcement, military, and private security markets worldwide. There were approximately 2100 Richards-Mason M1860 Army conversions made from 1877 to 1878 in a serial-number range 5800 to 7900. The years in parentheses indicate the year when. Canon has been transitioning to a 10-digit lens serial number (starting in 2008 with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens) and ending the inclusion of a separate manufacturing date code. While date codes and the shorter serial number are still found on some lenses, this inclusion will likely end completely.
Canon has been transitioning to a 10-digit lens serial number (starting in 2008 with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens) and ending the inclusion of a separate manufacturing date code. While date codes and the shorter serial number are still found on some lenses, this inclusion will likely end completely. We loved the date code because it made aging a lens easy. However, now we can age a lens based on the serial number alone.
For information on determining the age of a pre-10-digit serial number lens, see the section on interpreting the old date code below.
Determine the age of a Canon lens based on the 10-digit serial number
To age a Canon lens using the 10-digital serial number, we dissect the serial number as follows:
DD C SSSSSSS
The DD is the key to the date the lens was manufactured - the production date code. The Canon lens date code chart is shown below.
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
January | 38 | 50 | 62 | 74 | 86 | 01 | 13 | 25 | 37 | 49 | 61 | 73 |
February | 39 | 51 | 63 | 75 | 87 | 02 | 14 | 26 | 38 | 50 | 62 | 74 |
March | 40 | 52 | 64 | 76 | 88 | 03 | 15 | 27 | 39 | 51 | 63 | 75 |
April | 41 | 53 | 65 | 77 | 89 | 04 | 16 | 28 | 40 | 52 | 64 | 76 |
May | 42 | 54 | 66 | 78 | 90 | 05 | 17 | 29 | 41 | 53 | 65 | 77 |
June | 43 | 55 | 67 | 79 | 91 | 06 | 18 | 30 | 42 | 54 | 66 | 78 |
July | 44 | 56 | 68 | 80 | 92 | 07 | 19 | 31 | 43 | 55 | 67 | 79 |
August | 45 | 57 | 69 | 81 | 93 | 08 | 20 | 32 | 44 | 56 | 68 | 80 |
September | 46 | 58 | 70 | 82 | 94 | 09 | 21 | 33 | 45 | 57 | 69 | 81 |
October | 47 | 59 | 71 | 83 | 95 | 10 | 22 | 34 | 46 | 58 | 70 | 82 |
November | 48 | 60 | 72 | 84 | 96 | 11 | 23 | 35 | 47 | 59 | 71 | 83 |
December | 49 | 61 | 73 | 85 | 97 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 | 72 | 84 |
These dates should be viewed as approximations and should be used for your amusement as the estimates are not guaranteed correct. Please send any discrepancies you find. Note that Canon EOS DSLR camera body serial numbers, at least for 2013, do not follow this chart. Also please note that future dates shown in the table are predictions/expectations.
The third digit in the serial number, C, may be a charge/batch type of number. Canon has been using this number to indicate lenses needing specific service-related updates such as firmware.
The remaining digits in the serial number, SSSSSSS, are a uniquely-identifying number of the lens – likely within the production month.
Please note that, while the overall chart is holding out nicely with the lenses we've checked (including several late-2014 models), it is a work-in-process. In part, the numbers might be shifted by a month or so. Again, please send us any discrepancies you find.
Special thanks go out to friend-of-the-site Norbert for his role in the development of this chart.
To determine the age of a pre-10-digit serial number Canon lens bearing a date code
Until phasing out the practice starting in 2008, Canon included a date code beside the rear lens element of many (but not all) lenses (note that some 2012-manufactured lenses retain the date code). The date code (as seen below) is in the form of 'UR0902'. This code is also present on some other Canon products including camera bodies.
The first letter, 'U', indicates that the lens was made in Canon's Utsunomiya, Japan factory. Prior to 1986, this letter is moved to the last position of the date code.
U = Utsunomiya, Japan
F = Fukushima, Japan
O = Oita, Japan
F = Fukushima, Japan
O = Oita, Japan
The second letter, 'R', is a year code that indicates the year of manufacture. Canon increments this letter each year starting with A in 1986 and prior to that, A in 1960 without the leading factory code. Here is a table to make things simple:
A = 2012, 1986, 1960
B = 2013, 1987, 1961
C = 2014, 1988, 1962
D = 2015, 1989, 1963
E = 2016, 1990, 1964
F = 2017, 1991, 1965
G = 2018, 1992, 1966
H = 2019, 1993, 1967
I = 1994, 1968
J = 1995, 1969
K = 1996, 1970
L = 1997, 1971
M = 1998, 1972
N = 1999, 1973
O = 2000, 1974
P = 2001, 1975
Q = 2002, 1976
R = 2003, 1977
S = 2004, 1978
T = 2005, 1979
U = 2006, 1980
V = 2007, 1981
W = 2008, 1982
X = 2009, 1983
Y = 2010, 1984
Z = 2011, 1985
B = 2013, 1987, 1961
C = 2014, 1988, 1962
D = 2015, 1989, 1963
E = 2016, 1990, 1964
F = 2017, 1991, 1965
G = 2018, 1992, 1966
H = 2019, 1993, 1967
I = 1994, 1968
J = 1995, 1969
K = 1996, 1970
L = 1997, 1971
M = 1998, 1972
N = 1999, 1973
O = 2000, 1974
P = 2001, 1975
Q = 2002, 1976
R = 2003, 1977
S = 2004, 1978
T = 2005, 1979
U = 2006, 1980
V = 2007, 1981
W = 2008, 1982
X = 2009, 1983
Y = 2010, 1984
Z = 2011, 1985
The first two numbers, '09', is the month number the lens was manufactured in. Month 02 is February, month 11 = November. The leading zero of the month code is sometimes omitted.
The next two numbers, '02', are meaningless in determining how old a Canon lens is. This is a Canon internal code (that is occasionally omitted).
You now know the manufacture date for your lens - But - You cannot know how long the lens was in inventory, in shipping transit and on a shelf until it was originally purchased (without having the original receipt or a reputable person accurately informing you).
The Canon lens date code in the sample picture indicates that this Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L Lens (I know the lens model because I took the picture - not from the date code) was made in Utsunomiya, Japan in September 2003.
Modern Classic SLR Series |
1) Attaching the Lens | Removed the body cap. |
| |
To re-attach the rear lens cap, align it with the lens as illustrated. Then lightly push it in and turn it clockwise until it stops. |
To mount the lens, first align the red positioning point on the lens with the red dot above the camera mount as illustrated. | Then turn the lens in the direction of the arrow until it stops and the lens release button pops out with a click. |
Warning: If your camera look like this, with a red dot showing inside the camera mount,do not mountthe lens yet, correct exposure cannot be ensured if you do. |
To release the stop-down lever, unfold and lightly press it down so it pops out. Then mount the lens. Leave the stop-down lever as it is.Normal position of the lever-->>
2)Setting Up the lens for AE (Automatic Exposure) Photography
2)Setting Up the lens for AE (Automatic Exposure) Photography
![Canon Ae 1 Serial Number Years Bankruptcy Canon Ae 1 Serial Number Years Bankruptcy](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125830601/268505351.jpg)
Note: With the exception of the Canon fish-eye 7.5mm f/5.6 lens, be sure to place the lens with its front end down (as illustrated) to avoid damaging the protruding pins. |
Remove the front lens cap. | To remove the lens, turn it in the direction of the arrow. while pressing the lens release button, until it stops. |
While pressing in the AE lock pin, turn the aperture ring in the direction of the arrow until 'A' click-stops at the distance index. 'A' will be in line with the red dot on the camera. If you forget to do th~s, automatic exposure will be impossible. |
3) Loading the Battery
Note: 1. AE photography is possible only with a Canon FD lens. |
Remove the viewfinder cover from the accessory shoe. | Remove the action grip by means of a coin or similar object. |
Correct Batteries | Examples |
Alkaline-manganese, 6V | Eveready (UCAR) No A544 IEC 4LR44 |
Silver Oxide, 6V | Eveready (UCAR) No 544 Duracell PX 28, IEC 4 SR44 |
Lithium, 6V | Duracell PX 28 L |
Note: Related article on battery cells. |
. | ||
Open the battery chamber cover using the viewfinder cover. | Load a new battery so that its terminals are in the directions indicated by the diagram inside the battery chamber. | Insert the negative end first. Then push down and insert the positive end. Close the chamber cover. |
The camera will not function if the battery is loaded incorrectly or without anyone installed inside. |
The AE- 1 PROGRAM will not work without a battery. We recommend carrying a spare battery especially when you are engaged in any important assignment. Further, when you are working in cold weather, always make sure there are adequate precaution are taken for possible weak performance of the cell(s).. |
DO NOT touch the battery terminals. Wipe them and the camera contacts with a clean dry-cloth before loading to prevent poor contact from dirt.
4. Checking the Battery
1) Turn the main dial to 'A'.
2) Then, press the battery check button. Shooting is possible if you hear about six or more 'beeps' per second. If the camera beeps slowly (about three or fewer 'beeps' per second), there is not enough power. In this case, replace the battery.
Note:
1. With normal use, the battery should last about one year.
2. It is necessary to take special precautions with the battery when you are shooting in temperatures below 0°C (32° F}.
3. Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the camera for about three weeks or longer.
| Previous | Next | 1/3 More Basic Controls
Part I: Basic Camera Operations (3 parts)
Part II: Advance Camera Operations (5 parts)
Part III: Other Issues(2 parts)
| Back | The Index page of Canon AE-1Program
|Back| Main Index Page of Canon SLR Models
2) Then, press the battery check button. Shooting is possible if you hear about six or more 'beeps' per second. If the camera beeps slowly (about three or fewer 'beeps' per second), there is not enough power. In this case, replace the battery.
Note:
1. With normal use, the battery should last about one year.
2. It is necessary to take special precautions with the battery when you are shooting in temperatures below 0°C (32° F}.
3. Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the camera for about three weeks or longer.
| Previous | Next | 1/3 More Basic Controls
Part I: Basic Camera Operations (3 parts)
Part II: Advance Camera Operations (5 parts)
Part III: Other Issues(2 parts)
| Back | The Index page of Canon AE-1Program
|Back| Main Index Page of Canon SLR Models
Shared Resources: Winder A, Winder A2, Focusing Screens, Motor Drive MA, DatabackA, Speedlites & Macro photography.
Canon FD Resources
A Series: AE-1 | AT-1 | A-1 | AV-1 | AE-1 Program | AL-1
T- Series: T50 | T60 | T70 | T80 | T90
F-1 | New F-1
Canon FL ResourcesPellix | FTQL
Canon FD Resources
A Series: AE-1 | AT-1 | A-1 | AV-1 | AE-1 Program | AL-1
T- Series: T50 | T60 | T70 | T80 | T90
F-1 | New F-1
Canon FL ResourcesPellix | FTQL
FL |Canon FDnlenses. |Early versions of FD lenses
Highly suggestive useful external links/resources created by Mr.Christian Rollinger:
Essentials: -Canon A1 Repair/Service Guide | Determine Years of Made of your Canon
Canon Flash models:-Canon 300TL flash(1.5MB); Macrolite ML-1(HTML);Macrolite ML-2; Macrolite ML-3; Speedlite 133a; Speedlite 155a(HTML);Speedlite 177a; Speedlite 188a(HTML); Speedlite 199a; Speedlite 244t;Speedlite 277t (HTML); Speedlite 533; Speedlite 577
Others:- Canon Auto Bellow Unit Manual; Canon Macro Photography Guide, Canon Slide Duplicator Manual,Canon Angle Finder User's ManualCanon Flash models:-Canon 300TL flash(1.5MB); Macrolite ML-1(HTML);Macrolite ML-2; Macrolite ML-3; Speedlite 133a; Speedlite 155a(HTML);Speedlite 177a; Speedlite 188a(HTML); Speedlite 199a; Speedlite 244t;Speedlite 277t (HTML); Speedlite 533; Speedlite 577
|Message Board|for your Canon A-Series SLR camera(s)
|Message Board|for your Canon optics in a shared environment
|Message Board|Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Canon Photographic Equipment
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Maintenance Team: Kaipin, Terry Carraway & Dr Strangelove;Pawel Nabe for his image on the Data Memory Back. EEwyn Foo, my nephew, who has spent quite a number of nights converting the original manual in HTML format. Mr. Richard Yeow, General Manager -Optical Division of Canon Marketing for granting special permission to reproduce this manual into HTML format in his site as a form of obligation to all Canon FD mount users worldwide.*Canon, FD, FL Lenses, are registered trade names or trademarks of Canon Inc. Japan.