THE WESTERN WAY 12 JULY 2025
TODAY I PHOTOGRAPHED THE WESTERN WAY [IN ORDER TO TEST A SONY FE 24-105MM F4 LENS]
To help decide which camera gear to take on an upcoming trip to Limerick, I recently tested a Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens by photographing Dublin's Western Way. My aim was to travel light, which significantly narrowed down my lens choices.
Initially, I planned to use a Sigma 24-105mm F4 lens. However, as it's a Canon EF mount lens, it requires a Metabones adapter to work with my Sony A7RV camera, which I've borrowed from my dealer. On a particularly hot day during the test, the camera began to overheat and randomly shut down. This was quite disappointing.
A New Lens and a Piece of Dublin's History
Following this setback, I decided to purchase a used Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens. While it performed well and produced 100% usable images, I'm not entirely convinced that the individual images are superior to those from my Sigma lens but they are inferior to my FE 28-70 GM lens or the 70-200 F4 GM II lens.
The Western Way in Broadstone, Dublin, proved to be an interesting subject for my lens test, given its rich history. Developed around 1880, this significant urban route was created to link Constitution Hill to Mountjoy Street. Its construction was closely tied to the expansion of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) and the development of Broadstone station. The MGWR acquired the Royal Canal in 1845 and, in 1877, received permission to close part of the canal branch line to build a new forecourt for the station. Western Way was then constructed as an approach road, even featuring a lodge from 1881. Early 20th-century maps suggest it may even have been gated at one point.
Today, Western Way remains an important part of the local road network and serves as a bus stop for various Dublin Bus routes. The broader Broadstone area benefits from excellent public transport links, including the Luas light rail, with the Broadstone - University stop conveniently located nearby.
To help decide which camera gear to take on an upcoming trip to Limerick, I recently tested a Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens by photographing Dublin's Western Way. My aim was to travel light, which significantly narrowed down my lens choices.
Initially, I planned to use a Sigma 24-105mm F4 lens. However, as it's a Canon EF mount lens, it requires a Metabones adapter to work with my Sony A7RV camera, which I've borrowed from my dealer. On a particularly hot day during the test, the camera began to overheat and randomly shut down. This was quite disappointing.
A New Lens and a Piece of Dublin's History
Following this setback, I decided to purchase a used Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens. While it performed well and produced 100% usable images, I'm not entirely convinced that the individual images are superior to those from my Sigma lens but they are inferior to my FE 28-70 GM lens or the 70-200 F4 GM II lens.
The Western Way in Broadstone, Dublin, proved to be an interesting subject for my lens test, given its rich history. Developed around 1880, this significant urban route was created to link Constitution Hill to Mountjoy Street. Its construction was closely tied to the expansion of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) and the development of Broadstone station. The MGWR acquired the Royal Canal in 1845 and, in 1877, received permission to close part of the canal branch line to build a new forecourt for the station. Western Way was then constructed as an approach road, even featuring a lodge from 1881. Early 20th-century maps suggest it may even have been gated at one point.
Today, Western Way remains an important part of the local road network and serves as a bus stop for various Dublin Bus routes. The broader Broadstone area benefits from excellent public transport links, including the Luas light rail, with the Broadstone - University stop conveniently located nearby.