Can carrying a DSLR on a bike damage it from vibration?
Asked 9/25/2021
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I’m a road cyclist and want to carry a camera with me to photograph what I see. The camera would ride in a bag attached directly to the bike frame on mostly tarmac roads, though some roads are rough. I’m concerned that vibration or bumps could damage a DSLR. Is this likely, and what can I do to reduce the risk?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
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Just putting it in a bag will mitigate the high frequency vibration considerably. Having some foam padding around the camera, as in a usual camera bag, is even better. The big problem will then be sharp impact, either in a fall or when the bag swings against something. If you avoid those you should be OK.
You might look into the mirrorless bodies. They provide most of the same function as a DSLR in a smaller package. The lenses can also be smaller as they are mounted closer to the sensor. You can use the extra space for padding.
Originally by user14486. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14486
4y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Normal road-bike vibration is unlikely to damage a DSLR by itself, especially if the camera is in a bag. A padded camera bag or added foam will reduce high-frequency vibration further. The bigger risk is sharp impacts: crashes, the bike falling over, or the bag swinging into something.
Several cyclists report carrying DSLRs for long distances, including on gravel and cobblestones, without problems. So for typical road riding, this is generally not something to worry about.
To reduce risk:
- use a padded camera insert or bag
- keep the camera from moving around inside the bag
- protect it from hard knocks and falls
- consider a smaller mirrorless camera if you want less weight and more room for padding
- if you ride in very rough, wet, or muddy conditions, a rugged/tough compact camera may be a better choice
In short: for road cycling on tarmac, a DSLR should usually be fine if it’s carried securely and cushioned against impacts.
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