How to verify how old a canon is based on the serial number
- Thread starter jondoe
- Start date
speedjunkie
Well-known member
Sep 2010. is the oldest it could be....since it was released on that specific date.
http://www.asiantrack.com/tech/?p=4116
http://www.asiantrack.com/tech/?p=4116
deltoidjohn
Veteran
The serial number can only tell you the date of manufacture - it might have been one of the first production units but then sat on a shelf or in a storeroom up until last week. The receipt/proof of purchase will be a much better gauge of how long the camera has actually been owned.
Besides, a well cared for unit with minimal use that has sat in a cupboard for 6 months is likely a much better buy than one which was purchased three weeks ago by a guy going on a safari, who's now selling it because he snapped 100,000 photos in a week and didn't bother protecting it from dust at all and is now looking to offload it onto some poor chap before it dies prematurely.
Purchase dates and manufacture dates don't mean much - the physical condition of the camera and the shutter count will tell you much more about the camera's life than simple dates. Other things to look for/ask are whether it comes with the original packaging, how it has been stored, why it is being sold, what it was used for, etc. For example, if it comes with all the original packaging, a pelican case and a cleaing kit you can probably assume it has been looked after carefully. If on the other hand it comes with no box, is missing the strap/cables/manual/receipt, was used for shooting fishing on a boat (unprotected) and smells like beer, then i'd steer clear no matter how recent the serial number is.
Besides, a well cared for unit with minimal use that has sat in a cupboard for 6 months is likely a much better buy than one which was purchased three weeks ago by a guy going on a safari, who's now selling it because he snapped 100,000 photos in a week and didn't bother protecting it from dust at all and is now looking to offload it onto some poor chap before it dies prematurely.
Purchase dates and manufacture dates don't mean much - the physical condition of the camera and the shutter count will tell you much more about the camera's life than simple dates. Other things to look for/ask are whether it comes with the original packaging, how it has been stored, why it is being sold, what it was used for, etc. For example, if it comes with all the original packaging, a pelican case and a cleaing kit you can probably assume it has been looked after carefully. If on the other hand it comes with no box, is missing the strap/cables/manual/receipt, was used for shooting fishing on a boat (unprotected) and smells like beer, then i'd steer clear no matter how recent the serial number is.
ROCKMORE
Veteran
You can't necessarily judge a used camera by when it was made. You really have to look at the owner.
What kind of use did it have. Some cameras are not used at all. Maybe ask for a sample shot to see if
the kind of use matches the sales pitch. I bought my 60D in Dec and take very good care of it, but it
gets used every day and has a lot of hours on it. Easily 25,000 stills and 3,000 hours of video mostly in
the hot sun, or bad weather.
Look at it like a one year old Avis rent a car for sale. They look new, run like new, but who was actually driving it every day for a year. If you plan to keep it for a long time the price of a new body may be worth it few extra bucks.
What kind of use did it have. Some cameras are not used at all. Maybe ask for a sample shot to see if
the kind of use matches the sales pitch. I bought my 60D in Dec and take very good care of it, but it
gets used every day and has a lot of hours on it. Easily 25,000 stills and 3,000 hours of video mostly in
the hot sun, or bad weather.
Look at it like a one year old Avis rent a car for sale. They look new, run like new, but who was actually driving it every day for a year. If you plan to keep it for a long time the price of a new body may be worth it few extra bucks.
Last edited: