THE 2025 PHOTONIQUE BLOG

I LIKE PHOTOGRAPHING THE TREES IN PHOENIX PARK

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9 APRIL 2025

Phoenix Park in Dublin is renowned for its expansive green spaces and diverse collection of trees. Here’s a look at the variety you can find, and some of its notable arboreal features:

Variety of Trees:

The park boasts a wide range of tree species, contributing to its rich biodiversity. Common varieties include:
Oak (Quercus robur)
Ash
Lime
Sycamore
Horse Chestnut
Hawthorn
Beech
Evergreens
Key Features:

The park contains various woodland habitats, and also scattered trees within parkland areas.
There has been extensive tree planting over the years, to maintain and replace older trees.
The horse chestnut trees within the park create some very impressive avenue’s. These trees have had problems with horse chestnut bleeding canker, and there has been work done to combat this disease.

It’s important to note the presence of semi-natural oak-ash-hazel woodland, which is a valuable habitat.

The park’s older trees contribute significantly to its historical landscape. Determining the single “oldest” tree can be difficult, but many mature oaks and other species are centuries old.
The park is also home to protected plant species, showing the importance of the parks biodiversity.

I PHOTOGRAPHED BOLTON STREET USING A CANON 5D MKIII AND I HAD A CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH BATTERY ERROR

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PHOTOGRAPHED 6 APRIL 2025

It should be mentioned that the batteries are/were original Canon product and I have included a detailed discussion of the issue which may be of interest I you ever consider buying a used Canon 5D MkIII.

On 6 April 2025, I photographed Bolton Street using a Canon 5D Mark III. This camera, which I acquired a few years ago, has recently presented some intriguing technical challenges. My local camera dealer, aware of my extensive collection of Canon lenses (despite my shift to Sony mirrorless systems), offered me an unused 5D Mark III at a very favourable price. The camera had been won in a competition and remained unused for several years. I agreed to purchase it, provided he could supply a GPS attachment.

Currently, I am in the process of evaluating my photographic equipment, deciding which cameras to retain. I opted to use the Canon 5D Mark III for a week. However, upon powering it on, I encountered a ‘battery communication error’. Subsequent attempts with different batteries yielded the same error, and the display panel went blank, rendering the camera unresponsive.

After several hours of troubleshooting, I discovered that removing the SD card allowed the camera to restart. Inserting an old CompactFlash (CF) card enabled normal operation. Reinserting the original SD card caused the camera to crash. Replacing it with a new SD card resolved the issue.

This problem prompted me to investigate the Canon 5D Mark III’s operational characteristics, particularly concerning memory card compatibility and reported issues.

Canon 5D Mark III: General Operational Considerations

The Canon 5D Mark III, although a robust professional DSLR, has documented limitations. Some users report less flexibility in RAW file shadow recovery and inferior high ISO performance compared to the Canon 6D. The autofocus system, while adequate, exhibits weaker low-light sensitivity at its centre point than the 6D. This indicates trade-offs in specific photographic scenarios.

The 61-point autofocus system, while offering advanced tracking, requires considerable expertise to master, potentially leading to challenges in capturing fast-moving subjects. The complexity of this system suggests sensitivity to operational conditions and external factors, such as memory card insertion.

Additionally, reports of image sharpness issues, often attributed to lens calibration or wide-aperture lens characteristics, highlight potential operational challenges.

One particularly relevant account describes erratic camera behaviour following a low battery state, including spontaneous photo capture and unresponsive controls. Prolonged removal of the battery, lens, and memory card, to discharge an internal ‘keep alive’ capacitor, resolved the issue. This suggests the cameraโ€™s electronic systems are sensitive to power fluctuations, potentially linking my battery communication error to a past low battery or unexpected power-down scenario affecting peripheral communication.

SD Card Compatibility and Limitations

The Canon 5D Mark III features dual memory card slots for CF and SD cards. However, the cameraโ€™s SD card implementation has limitations. It is not recommended for high-speed burst shooting, as speeds are capped at approximately 20MB/s, despite supporting UHS-I SD cards. When both CF and SD cards are inserted, write speed defaults to the slower card, hindering CF card performance.

The camera does not support UHS-II SD cards, limiting high-speed card potential and potentially contributing to communication issues. Some photographers advise using the SD card slot sparingly, primarily for wireless transfers via Eye-Fi cards, and relying on CF cards for image capture.

Reports of the camera not stopping writing to both SDXC and CF cards, while different from my issue, indicate potential instability in memory card handling. Recommendations include formatting cards within the camera and using faster CF cards.

Simultaneous use of both card slots can reduce the cameraโ€™s buffer size, suggesting shared system resources and potential performance degradation or communication errors.

Firmware Updates and Memory Card/Battery Issues

Firmware updates often address bugs and improve performance. The latest firmware, version 1.3.6, primarily corrects PTP communication and update process vulnerabilities, not directly addressing SD card or battery communication issues.

However, earlier firmware, such as version 1.2.1, addressed memory card-related problems, including LCD monitor freezes during Live View and issues with Eye-Fi cards, demonstrating Canonโ€™s awareness of memory card compatibility.

User Experiences with Similar Issues

User forums reveal reports of physically damaged SD card slots and instances where the camera powers on without an SD card but shuts down upon insertion. This mirrors my issue, suggesting a link between SD card insertion and power system errors. Recommendations include reformatting SD cards (FAT32 for cards 32GB or smaller, exFAT for larger cards) and trying new cards.

Other users report ‘Error 2 – card cannot be accessed’ and complete SD slot failures, further indicating potential SD card interface issues.

Interplay Between SD Card and Battery Communication Errors

While battery communication errors can occur independently, my issue appears triggered by SD card insertion. It is possible my ‘battery communication error’ is a power-related issue stemming from SD card communication difficulties. The camera might draw excessive power or experience instability when accessing the SD card, resulting in a battery monitoring error.

Cleaning battery contact points is a general troubleshooting step. Canonโ€™s error code documentation does not explicitly mention SD card-triggered battery communication errors, suggesting it may be uncommon or misreported.

The fact that memory card issues can cause complete power-offs indicates a deep integration between memory card interface and power management, supporting the possibility of a link between these issues.

SD Card Age, Speed Class, and Brand Impact

The Canon 5D Mark III is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, with a suggested maximum capacity of 128GB, although larger cards are often supported. The camera operates UHS-I cards at Class 10 speeds and does not support UHS-II cards.”

LITTLE STRAND STREET IS A STREET OFF CAPEL STREET

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

Little Strand Street passes behind a derelict that once was home to the Ormond Hotel and it also features another site that has been derelict for many years.

Little Strand Street and Surrounding Developments:

Little Strand Street, a narrow street in Dublin’s city centre, is a place where historical layers and contemporary development intersect.

The Ormond Hotel:

Located on Ormond Quay Lower, which Little Strand Street backs onto, the Ormond Hotel is renowned for its appearance in James Joyce’s “Ulysses.”

Despite its literary significance, the building has remained derelict for a considerable period.
Redevelopment efforts have been hampered by legal disputes, planning challenges, and economic factors, leading to prolonged stagnation.

The Hotel Development (Capel Street/Little Strand Street Corner):

A new 142-bedroom hotel, being constructed by the Tifco hotel group, is currently underway at the corner of Capel Street and Little Strand Street.

This Hotel development is located on the site of what was previously a Working Mans Club.
The new Hotel will contain a ground floor bar and restaurant.

The planning process for this hotel faced initial objections from Dublin City Council regarding the concentration of hotels in the area, but An Bord Pleanรกla ultimately granted permission.

Jack Nealon’s Pub (165-166 Capel Street):

Jack Nealon’s is a historically significant and still-operating pub on Capel Street/Little Strand Street.

The pub building itself is of architectural and social importance.

A few years ago, it was announced that Jack Nealon’s pub had been sold to an American company. Due to this news, and the fact that a hotel was to be built at the corner of Little Strand street, some people assumed/claimed that the new owners were planning to replace the pub. It is important to note that Jack Nealon’s pub is a separate building, and business, to the new hotel development.

ANOTHER VISIT TO TEMPLE BAR – THIS TIME I USED A SIGMA DP3 QUATTRO

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APRIL FOOLS DAY 2025

The Sigma Quattro Dp3, renowned for its exceptional image quality at low ISO settings, is a camera with distinctive strengths and weaknesses. Its unique Foveon X3 sensor captures colour in a way that yields images often compared to medium format, boasting remarkable detail and colour accuracy. The fixed 50mm f/2.8 lens (75mm equivalent) complements the sensor, contributing to the images’ sharpness. Furthermore, the camera exhibits robust build quality.

However, the Dp3’s unconventional design results in awkward ergonomics. Its performance is notably slow, with sluggish autofocus and overall operation, rendering it unsuitable for fast-paced photography. The Foveon sensor struggles in low-light conditions, producing noticeable noise at higher ISO settings. Battery life is inconsistent and often frustratingly short, varying from 40 to 80 images per charge. Additionally, the required Sigma Photo Pro software is considered clunky and challenging to use. Crucially, it lacks features common in other cameras, such as video recording and image stabilisation.

These limitations, including slow performance, poor high ISO performance, and unusual ergonomics, relegated the Dp3 to a niche market. It is not a general-purpose camera, but rather a specialised tool for specific photographic applications. The demanding workflows necessary to maximise its potential further limit its appeal.

THE CROPPIES ACRE MEMORIAL PARK AT THE MUSEUM LUAS TRAM STOP ON BENBURB STREET

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25 MARCH 2025

A decade or so ago I advised visitors to avoid this park but much has changed since then.

The Croppies’ Acre, officially the Croppies Acre Memorial Park, is a historically significant public space located in Dublin, Ireland, along the banks of the River Liffey, near Collins Barracks. Its primary importance stems from its association with the 1798 Rebellion. Here’s a breakdown of its significance and past issues:

Historical Significance:

1798 Rebellion:
The site is traditionally believed to have been used as a mass burial ground for Irish rebels, known as “Croppies” due to their short-cropped hair, who were casualties of the 1798 Rebellion.

This connection makes it a poignant reminder of a crucial period in Irish history, attracting those interested in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
The memorial park serves as a place of remembrance for those who fought in the rebellion.

Historical Context:
The park’s proximity to Collins Barracks (formerly the Royal Barracks) adds to its historical context, as the barracks played a role in the events of that era.

Past Issues and Redevelopment:

Anti-social Behaviour:
In the past, the park suffered from significant anti-social behaviour, including public drunkenness and drug use, leading to its closure by the Office of Public Works in 2012.

Redesign and Reopening:
Dublin City Council took over the park’s management and implemented a redesign to address these issues.
The park was reopened in 2016, with the aim of creating a safer and more accessible public space.
The redesign of the park, and the work done by the Dublin City Council has greatly helped to reduce anti social behaviour.
The park is now open 24 hours a day, increasing public access.

Why it may be of interest to overseas visitors:

Irish History:
For those interested in Irish history and the struggle for Irish independence, Croppies’ Acre provides a tangible link to a pivotal moment.
Cultural Significance:
It offers insight into Irish cultural memory and how historical events are commemorated.

Dublin’s Heritage:
It is a part of Dublin’s rich historical heritage, located along the scenic River Liffey.

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