Canon Flash date codes

[jitteringjr]

I lost my 430EX flash and am looking at another via craigslist. Do they have date codes stamped on them like lenses do?

Could someone take a look at their 430EX or EX II and see if it has a date codes simular to the ones one lenses like this:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

 

[jitteringjr]

Anyone with a 430EX?

 

[Steve H]

They do have date codes - usually stamped into the body and following the same format as lenses. My 420EX for example is dated coded OR0803 - built at the Oita plant in August 2003.
--
Steve H



Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too? - Douglas Adams

 

[jitteringjr]

Thanks Steve

 

[Steve Balcombe]

They do have date codes - usually stamped into the body and following the same format as lenses. My 420EX for example is dated coded OR0803 - built at the Oita plant in August 2003.

But my 430EX doesn't.

It has a serial number but no date code. The box states 'Made in China'.

 

[Steve H]

They do have date codes - usually stamped into the body and following the same format as lenses. My 420EX for example is dated coded OR0803 - built at the Oita plant in August 2003.

But my 430EX doesn't.

It has a serial number but no date code. The box states 'Made in China'.

Mmmm. I wonder when production was farmed out. But you're right - anything not built in Japan doesn't get a date code.
--
Steve H



Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too? - Douglas Adams

 

[007peter]

I don't see any code on my 430ex. But even if there is a date code, it wouldn't do you any good for tracking down lens. What you really need is to track it down by SERIAL .

For example: any L lens made in DEC 2006 will share the same UU1205 date code. There is no way to distinguished a 24-105L from a 70-200 F4 IS by using a Date Code. Date code only reveal the manufacturing date and plants. It doesn't help you with tracking down missing or stolen property.

Date code is not a Car Serial, which can be used to tracking down stolen cars

I lost my 430EX flash and am looking at another via craigslist. Do they have date codes stamped on them like lenses do?

Could someone take a look at their 430EX or EX II and see if it has a date codes simular to the ones one lenses like this:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

 

[jitteringjr]

Thanks. I wasn't trying to track down the old one. That would be nearly impossible as I don't know exactly were or when it actually fell out of the camera bag.

I bought a 430 EX II from a guy on craigslist an hour ago and was wondering if I could double check with a date code to see if it was as new as he was saying(2 months) before I bought it. There isno date code on it BTW made in China. Anyhow it looks brand new at least and I am happy with the newer version over my old EX I.