Serial numbers
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.
Contents
Serial numbers by manufacturer
By camera manufacturer
By lens manufacturer
- Angénieux, Paris
- Bausch & Lomb
- C.P.Goerz, Berlin
- Kodak
- Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar
- Ludwig, Dresden
- Meyer Görlitz
- Rodenstock
- Ross
- Jos. Schneider, Kreuznach
- Steinheil, München
- Taylor, Taylor & Hobson
- Vivitar
- Voigtländer
- Carl Zeiss Jena (pre-war); Jena (post-war); Oberkochen
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.
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| Serial number (Nº 39772) engraved on the top plate of this Konica I image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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| Serial number (Nº 5833) engraved on inside the back (film holder removed) of this Rokuoh-Sha Lily image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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| Serial number (Nº 816172) punched into the wooden frame of this Ernemann Bob. Note the assembly codes 'Sl', 'Br', 'S4' to the right of the number image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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.
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| Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 240mm f 4.5 fitted in this Fairchild F-8 The serial nº (292516) is found on the front bezel image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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| Schneider Kreuznach Radionar f/3.5 F=5cm fitted in this Welta Gucki The serial nº (489047) is found on the rear cell image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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| Nikon Nikkor HC 28mm f/3.5 The serial nº (851688) is found on side of the lens barrel image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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.
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| Using a speculum (dentist's mirror) to read the serial number of a Compur shutter fitted in this Balda Baldinette image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
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| The serial number of a Compur shutter fitted in this Ernemann Bob image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
Links
- General
- There is an easy to use camera and lens dating tool based on many of the above lists: Camera Dating Tool on KniPPsen
- Argus
- Leica
- Minox
