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Manufacturers commonly use a '''serial number''' to uniquely identify a camera lens or body. Knowledge of these numbers may allow the dating of the specific item. This page provides known serial number and date sequences for cameras, lenses and shutters.  
Manufacturers commonly use serial numbers to uniquely identify a camera lens or a camera body. Knowledge of these numbers allows, in many cases, to date the specific camera in hand. This page provides known serial number and date sequences for cameras, lenses and shutters.  
 
  
 +
==Serial numbers by manufacturer==
  
=Serial numbers of camera bodies=
+
===By camera manufacturer===
  
{{Flickr_image
+
*[[Hasselblad#Serial numbers |Hasselblad]]
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4587621051/in/pool-camerawiki
+
*[[Zeiss Ikon serial numbers|ICA (1909-1925)]]
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4587621051_26ec8ba76b_m.jpg
+
*[[Camerosity|Kodak]]
|image_align= right
+
*Konica
|image_text= Production Code 'YRIS' in a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4588065472 Kodak Brownie II 110]
+
**[[Koni-Omega serial numbers| Koni-Omega Rapid M]]
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
+
**[[Koni-Omega serial numbers|Koni-Omegaflex]]
|image_rights= with permission
+
**[[Koni-Omega serial numbers |Konica Press 2]]
}}
+
*[[Zeiss Ikon serial numbers|Zeiss Ikon (1926-1944)]]
==Kodak==
 
Many of the Kodak bodies also use the [[Serial numbers#Kodak lenses| CAMEROSITY encoding]] used for the lenses. A number of the 1970s and 1980s bodies have a four letter code, where the last two letters stand for the year and the first two letters stand for the Kodak production cycle in that year. Note that Kodak breaks the year into thirteen four-week cycles. This the CAMEROSITY code 'YRIS', ie. 0687, indicates that the cameras was produced in the 6th four-week unit of 1987 (ie aprox late May to mid June).
 
  
 +
===By lens manufacturer===
 +
*[[Angénieux serial numbers|Angénieux, Paris]]
 +
*[[Bausch & Lomb serial numbers|'''B'''ausch & Lomb]]
 +
*[[Goerz serial numbers|C.P.'''G'''oerz, Berlin]]
 +
*[[Camerosity|'''K'''odak]]
 +
*[[Leitz lens serial numbers|Ernst '''L'''eitz, Wetzlar]]
 +
*[[Ludwig#Serial_Numbers|'''L'''udwig, Dresden]]
 +
*[[Meyer serial numbers | '''M'''eyer Görlitz]]
 +
*[[Rodenstock serial numbers|'''R'''odenstock]]
 +
*[[Ross serial numbers|Ross]]
 +
*[[Schneider serial numbers|Jos. '''S'''chneider, Kreuznach]]
 +
*[[Steinheil serial numbers|Steinheil, München]]
 +
*[[Taylor-Hobson serial numbers|'''T'''aylor, Taylor & Hobson]]
 +
*[[Vivitar serial numbers|'''V'''ivitar]]
 +
*[[Voigtländer serial numbers|Voigtländer]]
 +
*Carl '''Z'''eiss [[Carl Zeiss serial numbers#|Jena (pre-war)]]; [[Carl Zeiss serial numbers#|Jena (post-war)]]; [[Carl Zeiss serial numbers#Carl Zeiss Oberkochen|Oberkochen]]
  
 +
===By shutter manufacturer===
 +
*[[Compur serial numbers]]
  
 +
==Locating serial numbers==
  
 +
===On camera bodies===
 +
The location of serial numbers on the camera body can range from the obvious to the hidden.
  
=Serial numbers of lenses=
+
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5000896203/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5000896203_a3b81cb0f1_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= Serial number (Nº 39772)  engraved <br>on the top plate<br>of this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5001498998 Konica I]
 +
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
  
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5163496922/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/5163496922_05d5eeb3c8_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= Serial number (Nº 5833)  engraved <br>on inside the back (film holder removed)<br>of this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5162869075 Rokuoh-Sha Lily]
 +
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5128328582/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/5128328582_5640755809_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= Serial number (Nº 816172) punched<br> into the wooden frame of this<br>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5127724843 Ernemann Bob]. Note the assembly<br>codes 'Sl', 'Br', 'S4' to the right of the number
 +
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
 +
<br clear="all" />
 +
===On lenses===
 +
The serial numbers of lenses can commonly be found on the front bezel, but also be on the side or on the rear cell.
  
== Goerz American Optical Company==
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{{Flickr_image
Part of the serial number sequences of lenses made by the Goerz American Optical Company<ref>Sourced from [http://www.largeformatphotography.info/classic-experts.html largeformatphotography.info]</ref>
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4625881161/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4625881161_8e845b4b7e_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 240mm f 4.5<br>fitted in this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4625914479 Fairchild F-8]<br>The serial nº (292516)  is found on the front bezel
 +
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
  
{|
+
{{Flickr_image
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serial nº
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5309086558/in/pool-camerawiki
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Years
+
|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5309086558_22658a571c_m.jpg
|-
+
|image_align= left
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0001-140935
+
|image_text= Schneider Kreuznach Radionar f/3.5 F=5cm<br>fitted in this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5309087180 Welta Gucki]<br> The serial nº (489047)  is found on the rear cell
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1902-1903
+
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
|-
+
|image_rights= with permission
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;150000-190170
+
}}
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1903-1905
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;200941-224267
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1906-1908
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;223775-226630
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1908-1909
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;310001-315734
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1911-1914
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;315735-320000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1914-1918
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;751240-756909
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1927-1937
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;755300
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1934
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;756910-765730
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1937-1945
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;765730-771199
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1945-1948
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;771200-780169
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1948-1954
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;791500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~1955
 
  
|}
+
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5178512410/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/5178512410_3347f2be8a_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= [[Nikon]] Nikkor HC 28mm f/3.5<br> The serial nº (851688)  is found on side of the lens barrel<br>&nbsp;
 +
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
  
==Kodak lenses==
+
{{br}}
From 19¶¶ onwards, Kodak encoded its lenses, and in many instances, also camera bodies, using a two letter combination, encoded with the word 'CAMEROSITY,' which resolves as follows:
+
===On shutters===
 +
Camera makers frequently made sure that the serial number of the shutter was out of sight by judiciously orienting the shutter casing. The use of a speculum (dentist's mirror) allows to read the number even if it is facing the camera's folding bed.
  
{|rules=rows
+
{{Flickr_image
|-  
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4798190875/in/pool-camerawiki
|C
+
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4798190875_5c641c8454_m.jpg
|A
+
|image_align= left
|M
+
|image_text= Using a speculum (dentist's mirror) to <br>read the serial number of a [[Compur]] shutter<br>fitted in this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4798190875 Balda Baldinette]
|E
+
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
|R
+
|image_rights= with permission
|O
+
}}
|S
 
|I
 
|T
 
|Y
 
|-
 
|1
 
|2
 
|3
 
|4
 
|5
 
|6
 
|7
 
|8
 
|9
 
|0
 
|}
 
  
The letters represent the last two digits of the year. Thus a lens with the serial number '''EA'''12345 would have been produced in 19'''42'''
+
{{Flickr_image
 
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4934399198/in/pool-camerawiki
==Ross==
+
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4934399198_dc21bc1209_m.jpg
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Ross <ref> From: Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 11, Pages 87-88. </ref>
+
|image_align= left
{|
+
|image_text=The serial number of a [[Compur]] shutter<br>fitted in this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4933799607 Ernemann Bob]
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serial nº
+
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Year
+
|image_rights= with permission
|-
+
}}
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;100
+
{{br}}
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1840
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1850
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1860
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1870
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1875
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;44,430
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1880
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;47,31x
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1885-1890
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;50,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1890-1895
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;81,96x
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1911
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;86,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1918
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;95,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1921
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;100,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1924
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;105,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1925
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;110,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1927
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;115,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1930
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;120,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1931
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;125,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1933
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;140,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1939
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;200,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1947
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;213,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1946-7
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;250,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1960
 
|}
 
 
 
== Taylor, Taylor & Hobson==
 
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Taylor, Taylor & Hobson <ref> From: Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 13, Page 71. </ref>
 
{|
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serial nº
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Year
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;100
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1895
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1900
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;19,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1914
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;71,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1918
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;117,xxx
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1926-7
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;250,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1939
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;303,xxx
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1944
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;300,xxx
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1947
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;688,03x
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1965
 
|}
 
 
 
 
 
== Voigtl&auml;nder==
 
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Voigtländer <ref> From: Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 14, Page 6-9. </ref>
 
 
 
 
 
{|
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serial nº
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Year
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4033
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1852
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1854
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1862
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;27,449
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1884
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;30,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1885
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;31,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1886
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;32,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1887
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;34,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1888
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;36,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1889
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;38,000 - 39496
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1890
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;40,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1891
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;41,911
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1892
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;43,685
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1893
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;45,431
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1894
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;46,454
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1895
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;47,771
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1896
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;49,084
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1897
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;54,168
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1898
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;54,896
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1899
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;65,691
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1900
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;68,193
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1901
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;70,682
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1902
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;72,638
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1903
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;75,479
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1904
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;79,288
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1905
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;83,477
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1906
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;88,057
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1907
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;97,999
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1908
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;101,649
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1909
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;105,778
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1910
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;110,347
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1911
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;113,569
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1912
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;118,634 - 125,975
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1913
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;126,001
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1914
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;132,726
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1915
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;137,682
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1916
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;139,108
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1917
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;142,853
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1918
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;144,419
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1919
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;154,426
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1920
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;160,008
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1921
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;172,136
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1922
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;194,086
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1923
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;216,948
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1924
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;227,929
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1925
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;248,505
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1926
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;279,710
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1927
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;365,562
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1928
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;537,338
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1929
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;671,174
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1933
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;803,220
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1934
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,026,690
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1935
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1937
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,718,530
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1942
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,700,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1945
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1947
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,220,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1951
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,300,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1952
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,461,400
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1953
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,600,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1954
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,731,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1955
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4,001,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1956
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4,303,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1957
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4,514,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1958
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4,802,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1959
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5,033,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1960
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5,473,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1961
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5,900,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1962
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6,219,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1963
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6,423,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1964
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6,664,222
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1965
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9,999,999-10,000,150
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1971
 
|}
 
 
 
==Zeiss  (Carl Zeiss Jena)==
 
 
 
Part of the serial number sequence of lenses made by Carl Zeiss Jena <ref> From: Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 7, Page 99-101. </ref>
 
{|
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serial nº
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Year
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;,418-200,520
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1912
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;208,473-249,350
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1913
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;249,886-252,739
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1914
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;282,800-284,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1915
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;285,200-288,100
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1916
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;289,087-298,157
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1917
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;298,215-322,748
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1918
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;322,799-351,611
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1919
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;375,194-419,823
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1920
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;433,273-438,361
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1921
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;422,899-498,006
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1922
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;561,270-578,297
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1923
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;631,500-578,297
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1924
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;631,500-648,500
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1925
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;666,790-703,198
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1926
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;722,196-798,251
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1927
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;903,100-908,150
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1928
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;919,794-1,016,885
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1929
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;922,488-1,239,697
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1930
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,239,699-1,365,582
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1931
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,364,483-1,389,279
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1932
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,436,671-1,456,003
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1933
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,500,474-1,590,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1934
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,615,764-1,752,303
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1935
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,674,882-1,942,806
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1936
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1,930,150-2,219,775
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1937
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,267,991-2,527,984
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1938
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,527,999-2,651,211
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1939
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,652,000-c2,678,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1940
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,678,326-2,790,346
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1941
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2,800,000- ?
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1942
 
|-
 
|Post-War Production
 
|
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,000,000-3,200,000
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1945-1949
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,200,000-3,470,000
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1949-1952
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,470,000-4,000,000
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1952-1955
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4,000,000-5,000,000
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1955-1958
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5,000,000-6,000,000
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1958-1961
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6,000,000-6,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1961-1964
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7,000,000-8,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1964-1967
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8,000,000-9,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1967-1970
 
|-
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9,000,000-10,000,000
 
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1970-1975
 
|}
 
 
 
=Serial numbers of shutters=
 
 
 
 
 
==Compur shutters==
 
Sourced from ''A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum''.<ref> From: Wilkinson, M, and C Glanfield. 2001. ''A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum'', CD-rom Version 3F. Edited by A. N. Wright. Cornwall, UK: David Matthews Associates. Chapter 12. Pages 65-66</ref>
 
{|
 
|Serial nº
 
|Year
 
|-
 
  
|214,000
+
==Links==
|1912
+
*General
|-
+
**There is an easy to use camera and lens dating tool based on many of the above lists: [https://knippsen.blogspot.com/2019/07/dating-your-camera-altersbestimmung.html Camera Dating Tool] on [https://knippsen.blogspot.com KniPPsen]
|250,000
+
*Argus
|1914
+
**[http://arguscg.tripod.com/id30.html Argus serial numbers] at [http://www.arguscg.org Argus collectors group]<!-- Where is the serial number page within the new website? -->
|-
+
**[http://argusinfo.net/DatingGuide/DatingYourArgus.htm When was Your Argus camera made?] on [http://argusinfo.net/ Argus Camera Information Reference Site]
|450,000
+
*Leica
|1920
+
**[http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm Leica screwmount camera bodies, serial numbers] at [http://www.cameraquest.com Cameraquest]
|-
+
*Minox
|500,000
+
**[http://www.submin.com/8x11/collection/minox/minox_serial.htm Minox serial numbers] on [http://www.submin.com submin.com]
|1922
 
|-
 
|600,000
 
|1925
 
|-
 
|750,000
 
|1926
 
|-
 
|850,000
 
|1927
 
|-
 
|950,000
 
|1928
 
|-
 
|1,000,000
 
|1929
 
|-
 
|1,150,000
 
|1930
 
|-
 
|1,500,000
 
|1931
 
|-
 
|1,800,000
 
|1932
 
|-
 
|2,250,000
 
|1933
 
|-
 
|2,700,000
 
|1934
 
|-
 
|3,200,000
 
|1935
 
|-
 
|3,750,000
 
|1936
 
|-
 
|4,250,000
 
|1937
 
|-
 
|4,850,000
 
|1938
 
|-
 
|5,400,000
 
|1939
 
|-
 
|6,000,000
 
|1947
 
|-
 
|6,200,000
 
|1948
 
|-
 
|6,500,000
 
|1949
 
|-
 
|7,000,000
 
|1950
 
|-
 
|7,700,000
 
|1951
 
|-
 
|8,500,000
 
|1952
 
|}
 
  
== Notes ==
+
[[Category:Serial numbers|*]]
<references />
 

Latest revision as of 17:46, 17 March 2023

Manufacturers commonly use a serial number to uniquely identify a camera lens or body. Knowledge of these numbers may allow the dating of the specific item. This page provides known serial number and date sequences for cameras, lenses and shutters.

Serial numbers by manufacturer

By camera manufacturer

By lens manufacturer

By shutter manufacturer

Locating serial numbers

On camera bodies

The location of serial numbers on the camera body can range from the obvious to the hidden.


On lenses

The serial numbers of lenses can commonly be found on the front bezel, but also be on the side or on the rear cell.


On shutters

Camera makers frequently made sure that the serial number of the shutter was out of sight by judiciously orienting the shutter casing. The use of a speculum (dentist's mirror) allows to read the number even if it is facing the camera's folding bed.


Links