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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1646382" data-attributes="member: 665">Holy mackerel! Kingfish,You have a lead-free SE. According to Nikon, the changeover to lead-free glass happened in 2002.   From what I have been able to painstakingly piece together by reading threads, posting inquires about 8x32 SE serial #s on public forums, and through PMs and emails, the 504 model was made in 2001. Did you buy it new from a store or second hand? If new, was it sold by a small camera shop or big online dealer? Hard to believe it took five years to sell, although a BF member did mention that camera stores were having trouble moving the SEs after the "Roof Revolution," and my local camera store still has leftover Minolta Classics (the original series)! The general consensus was these serial #s match these years: 500 = 1997 501 = 1998 502 = 1999503 = 2000504 = 2001505 = 2002 550 = 2007 or 2008 From comparing the color of the coatings verbally on one 504 with one 505, it appears that the upgrade in AR coatings might have occurred in 2002, but I would need harder data to confirm that (by comparing them visually instead of verbally). However, since Nikon changed the glass in 2002, it would make sense that it would also change the coatings. Amos, Fresh Air Taxi Company, Chicago</blockquote>