Dennis Steel - Madiera Flower Festival with Two Leica CLs
08th August 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
Madeira with Two Leica CL Cameras
Each year we go to Madeira in May for the Flower Festival for the colours and interesting people.
Like every photographer going on holiday or just travelling, the choice of cameras and equipment to take can be a challenge.
I had in mind to take a CL camera with the standard zoom lens and the V-Lux 5 camera.
Talking to a good friend he suggested taking two CL cameras one with the standard zoom (18-55mm) and the other with the large zoom lens (55-135mm). With no need to change lenses.
The final camera and support gear chosen as follows:-
Two CL cameras one with the standard zoom and the other with the large zoom. Plus Lee 85 filter kit with two filters (big stopper and the 0.6 Grad) and two adapter rings to suit each lens.
I had not used the CL cameras for a couple years, so it was a pleasure to re- familiarize myself with the cameras and menu system.
I found under scene mode HDR in the menu system. I wanted to try this out in Madeira for the landscapes shots.
The flower festival runs for the whole of the month of May, there are street parades, car and vintage car parades, dancing troops from various districts of Madeira. The dancing troops perform in a pre-erected arena, the costumes colours and head dresses are out of this world and for photographers its heaven. The most important thing is that all the people that take part in the festival love to have their photograph taken.
The attached pictures are titled as to which lens was utilised and whether HDR was used. The photographs taken of the dancing troops performing their dance routines were mainly taken with the large zoom (55-135mm) lens. I was impressed with the focus system of the CL camera when the movement of the dancers were so vigorous. The focus system was set for face detection and it work extremely well considering the large amount of movement encountered from the dancers.
The static car show was slightly different this year as all the 1920/1930 cars were parked together with men and women dressed in period costumes alongside their chosen cars which made for some excellent photography. For me this element was one the best parts of the festival.
The last photographs I took was of a lady dressed up in a 1920’s costume. I spotted her in a group of ladies going out for the evening, all were dressed in period costumes and ready for a good night out. I singled her out of the group and asked if I could take her photo which she obliged most willingly. I took a few photos and when I lowered the camera at the finish, she said in loud voice “You’ve got a Leica.” I said, “Yes and have you a Leica camera?” she replied in the same loud voice “No they are too expensive!” She said it’s a lovely looking camera, “Is it retro?” I said “No it’s a Leica CL camera they do not make them anymore, which is a pity.” Her mates called her over as they wanted to get going and that was the end of the encounter.
The other area of the camera system I wanted to explore was the HDR mode in the Scene mode. It worked brilliantly, it fires three shots and then joins them together. I cannot find out the EV spacing this mode is set to, but the spacing works well. The other point to remember is the subject must be stationery or you will get burring.
The quality of the APC sensor output on the CL cameras is superb. The picture quality of the APC is equal to any of my full frame cameras. Leica did a good job on the CL cameras and lenses system, I think there will be senior managers at Leica that regret the day Leica discontinue the CL camera system.
I found the CL camera system lightweight and a pleasure to use and will be travelling with them again.
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm - HDR
18-55mm
Each year we go to Madeira in May for the Flower Festival for the colours and interesting people.
Like every photographer going on holiday or just travelling, the choice of cameras and equipment to take can be a challenge.
I had in mind to take a CL camera with the standard zoom lens and the V-Lux 5 camera.
Talking to a good friend he suggested taking two CL cameras one with the standard zoom (18-55mm) and the other with the large zoom lens (55-135mm). With no need to change lenses.
The final camera and support gear chosen as follows:-
Two CL cameras one with the standard zoom and the other with the large zoom. Plus Lee 85 filter kit with two filters (big stopper and the 0.6 Grad) and two adapter rings to suit each lens.
I had not used the CL cameras for a couple years, so it was a pleasure to re- familiarize myself with the cameras and menu system.
I found under scene mode HDR in the menu system. I wanted to try this out in Madeira for the landscapes shots.
The flower festival runs for the whole of the month of May, there are street parades, car and vintage car parades, dancing troops from various districts of Madeira. The dancing troops perform in a pre-erected arena, the costumes colours and head dresses are out of this world and for photographers its heaven. The most important thing is that all the people that take part in the festival love to have their photograph taken.
The attached pictures are titled as to which lens was utilised and whether HDR was used. The photographs taken of the dancing troops performing their dance routines were mainly taken with the large zoom (55-135mm) lens. I was impressed with the focus system of the CL camera when the movement of the dancers were so vigorous. The focus system was set for face detection and it work extremely well considering the large amount of movement encountered from the dancers.
The static car show was slightly different this year as all the 1920/1930 cars were parked together with men and women dressed in period costumes alongside their chosen cars which made for some excellent photography. For me this element was one the best parts of the festival.
The last photographs I took was of a lady dressed up in a 1920’s costume. I spotted her in a group of ladies going out for the evening, all were dressed in period costumes and ready for a good night out. I singled her out of the group and asked if I could take her photo which she obliged most willingly. I took a few photos and when I lowered the camera at the finish, she said in loud voice “You’ve got a Leica.” I said, “Yes and have you a Leica camera?” she replied in the same loud voice “No they are too expensive!” She said it’s a lovely looking camera, “Is it retro?” I said “No it’s a Leica CL camera they do not make them anymore, which is a pity.” Her mates called her over as they wanted to get going and that was the end of the encounter.
The other area of the camera system I wanted to explore was the HDR mode in the Scene mode. It worked brilliantly, it fires three shots and then joins them together. I cannot find out the EV spacing this mode is set to, but the spacing works well. The other point to remember is the subject must be stationery or you will get burring.
The quality of the APC sensor output on the CL cameras is superb. The picture quality of the APC is equal to any of my full frame cameras. Leica did a good job on the CL cameras and lenses system, I think there will be senior managers at Leica that regret the day Leica discontinue the CL camera system.
I found the CL camera system lightweight and a pleasure to use and will be travelling with them again.
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 18-55mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm
Leica CL 55-135mm - HDR
18-55mm
Comments
By Cled Lewis: I you have certainly captured the atmosphere in Madeira Dennis, the story supported by a great selection of pictures makes a visit seem very attractive.
The 18-55mm lens is a beauty, lovely skin tones and colour. You chose well to travel light and “delivered the goods”
Why Leica abandoned the CL is a good question.
I thoroughly enjoyed the article. By Tony Tarlton: Terrific Dennis, This summer’s trip to France to see my family, I took my CL with 55-135 and, thinking to lighten the load, just added the 23 (35 equivalent) a mistake. I should have taken the 18-56. Of course, I had to take my 3g with the Summaron 35 - I just love using it! But the CL is excellent, which is why, I think, that Leica dropped it - it was too much a distraction from the the newer, more expensive M’s! By Keith Walker: What colour! Lovely set of images and great advert for the Event. By David Askham: What a wonderful colourful visual summary of a memorable experience, Dennis. You have captured such natural facial expressions in Madeira. And those rare old cars! Your Leica CLs served you very well. Those two zoom lenses show how very capable they are. Not once were they found to be 'wanting'. And the standard zoom covers the most used focal lengths. Thank you for brightening my weekend! By Denis Gilbert: Great shots , I agree that Leica stopped the CL system because it was so good knowledgeable enthusiasts delayed buying the M series which did not suit the marketing promotion .