2023 - Update 6:

Phibsboro's VT36 is seen operating Route 38A on O'Connell Street on the 7th February 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

This week's update is somewhat non-bus related and a more personal observation, though it still has bus photos. My trusty Canon G1X camera developed a major fault having been giving a little trouble in other ways the past few months. Though the end of a camera marks the end of an era, it also affords an opportunity to try out new technology, or so I thought. Unfortunately after a few days I determined that the best camera for my needs was the same camera I bought 5 years ago.

Summerhill's EV41 is seen operating Route 16 on O'Connell Street on the 7th February 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

The advancement of camera phones has meant the death knell for compact cameras. Back in 2008, over 100 million compact cameras were sold worldwide. By 2021, this number had fallen to just over 3 million. This has lead many of the leading manufacturers to not focus on this market, focussing instead on the high end larger mirrorless and DSLR markets. So for the bus enthusiast like me, who values discreteness (small form factor) and pocketability when photographing buses in Dublin's suburbs, it leaves a gap that smart phones will never be able to fill, as for all their fancy post-processing they are way too compromised in their optical abilities. On the positive side, buying the same camera again meant it was very easy getting back up and running with my new camera and I was lucky to acquire the camera again, as its pretty much out of stock worldwide as production lags and shortage of parts due to Covid has focussed production on the larger higher-end cameras. This feature shows the last few photos from my old camera.

The last photo from my old camera, Harristown's GT4, on-loan from Donnybrook, is seen oeprating Route 83, blinded by the lights on a busy Camden Street on the 7th February 2023 (click on photo for larger version).