Convert String to DateTime for SQL Server Insert

I have a string that looks like 2017:10:08 13:01:14 and simply need to convert it into an acceptable DateTime format for inserting into a SQL Server field of type datetime.

I would prefer to use something simple and flexible like

Code:

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DateTime.Parse(datevar)

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...but that is not working. I have also tried

Code:

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DateTime.ParseExact(datevar, "yyyy:MM:dd HH:mm:tt", Nothing)

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which is not working either. Any help you can provide is appreciated!

Not sure if this additional code will be helpful...

Code:

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Dim img As Image = Image.FromFile(FileName)
Dim dateTaken As String
Dim dateforinsert As DateTime

Dim pitem As PropertyItem

If img.PropertyIdList.Contains(DATE_TAKEN) Then
            pitem = img.GetPropertyItem(DATE_TAKEN)
            dateTaken = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(pitem.Value, 0, pitem.Value.Length)
            dateforinsert = DateTime.ParseExact(dateTaken, "yyyy:MM:dd HH:mm:ss", Nothing)
 Else
            dateTaken = Nothing
 End If

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