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Can a lens be damaged by vibrations?

honilvin
Apprentice

I love to cycle with my camera. R7+RF 100-500. I have it in a handlebar bag. I know it could take some serious damage if I fall and Im willing to take the risk. However, Im wondering if the lens can be damaged by vibrations while Im cycling? Should I stop or is the risk acceptable?

6 REPLIES 6

shadowsports
Legend
Legend

Greetings,

I think I might go with a backpack over the handlebar bag.  It depends on how much vibration I suppose.  Excessive (prolonged) vibration and shock type impacts aren't probably good for your gear.  This is why I might go with a pack instead.  

**Edit - Sorry I should have asked.  I grew up riding dirt bikes.  Are we talking motorcycle or bicycle.  I was commenting on motorcycle (off road).     

~Rick
Bay Area - CA


~R5 C (1.0.7.1) ~RF Trinity, ~RF 100 Macro, ~RF 100~400, ~RF 100~500, +RF 1.4x TC, +Canon Control Ring, BG-R10, 430EX III-RT ~DxO PhotoLab Elite ~DaVinci Resolve ~Windows11 Pro ~ImageClass MF644Cdw/MF656Cdw ~Pixel 8
~CarePaks Are Worth It

p4pictures
Authority
Authority

You have good advice from Rick, but one thing to make sure is that the camera is switched off with the lens attached. If you need to remove the lens to put it in the handlebar bag, allow a few seconds after the power is turned off for the camera to drive the lens focus and IS assemblies to their parked positions.


Brian
EOS specialist trainer, photographer and author
-- Note: my spell checker is set for EN-GB, not EN-US --

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

Have you noticed all camera bags are padded? There is a reason. The best advice is to use common sense. Any vibration is worse than no vibration. The IS inside the lens will not like it of that I am certain. Whether it is left on or not doesn’t matter.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

wq9nsc
Elite
Elite

You bought the camera to use.  If you want it to last forever then leave it on a shelf in a sealed glass box but personally I would use and enjoy it until it breaks and then replace it 🙂

I don't use my camera gear as outdoor furniture or a sledgehammer but my 1 series bodies and lenses get used in some pretty horrific weather and they probably stand up to it better than I do.  I don't mistreat my gear however inanimate stuff can always be replaced unlike living breathing creatures.

And if you are at all subject to the continuing marketing efforts, you will be replacing bodies and lenses long before they cease to be fully functional.

Rodger

EOS 1DX M3, 1DX M2, 1DX, 5DS R, M6 Mark II, 1D M2, EOS 650 (film), many lenses, XF400 video

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

Well said Rodger, bravo.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

honilvin
Apprentice

@honilvin wrote:

I love to cycle with my camera. R7+RF 100-500. I have it in a handlebar bag. I know it could take some serious damage if I fall and Im willing to take the risk. However, Im wondering if the lens can be damaged by vibrations while Im cycling? Should I stop or is the risk acceptable https://vlc.onl/ ?


I got this,...

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