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Archive 2017Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
p.1 #1Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
I think it is time for another trip-report 
With my friend Matt I spent a week on the island of Madeira. It was my first trip to the island and it exceeded my expectations. The south of the island is just a concrete desert but the central mountain range and the north are beautiful and I think I prefer it over Tenerife because it is greener and because the mountains are very accessible.
I brought the a7ii with the FE 4/16-35, Minolta MD 2.5/100, Voigtlander 1.7/35 and Canon FD 4/300 with me but the Canon stayed in the car most of the time and often I hiked with just the 16-35 and the MD 2.5/100.
Madeira is basically a big mountain rising from the bottom of the sea so Madeira has a very steep coast, basically no beaches and beautiful mountains which are in large parts still covered with forests and accessed by a large network of little water channels called Levadas which irrigate large parts of the island.
I will split this report into three parts: Coast, the Forest and the Mountains.
Part 1: The Coast
#1 South-Coast Sunset
#2 South-Coast Sunset
#3 Path to sunset
[
#4 South-Coast Sunrise
#5 East-Coast before sunrise
#6 North-Coast seen from Ponta de Sao Lourenco
#7 West-Coast
#8 North-Coast Road
#9 North-Coast
#10 North-Coast
Edited on Apr 12, 2017 at 08:23 AM · View previous versions
With my friend Matt I spent a week on the island of Madeira. It was my first trip to the island and it exceeded my expectations. The south of the island is just a concrete desert but the central mountain range and the north are beautiful and I think I prefer it over Tenerife because it is greener and because the mountains are very accessible.
I brought the a7ii with the FE 4/16-35, Minolta MD 2.5/100, Voigtlander 1.7/35 and Canon FD 4/300 with me but the Canon stayed in the car most of the time and often I hiked with just the 16-35 and the MD 2.5/100.
Madeira is basically a big mountain rising from the bottom of the sea so Madeira has a very steep coast, basically no beaches and beautiful mountains which are in large parts still covered with forests and accessed by a large network of little water channels called Levadas which irrigate large parts of the island.
I will split this report into three parts: Coast, the Forest and the Mountains.
Part 1: The Coast
#1 South-Coast Sunset
#2 South-Coast Sunset
#3 Path to sunset
[
#4 South-Coast Sunrise
#5 East-Coast before sunrise
#6 North-Coast seen from Ponta de Sao Lourenco
#7 West-Coast
#8 North-Coast Road
#9 North-Coast
#10 North-Coast
Edited on Apr 12, 2017 at 08:23 AM · View previous versions
Apr 12, 2017 at 08:07 AM
p.1 #2Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
What backpack did you use to carry your gear?
Apr 12, 2017 at 08:08 AM
p.1 #3Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
hsiunghsiung wrote:
What backpack did you use to carry your gear?
I used two camera bags, a Lowepro Event Messenger 100 for longer hikes with the Fe 4/16-35 and the MD 2.5/100 and the 150 wich could fit all the lenses. This is a solution which works but isn't ideal, especially for longer hikes. I had planned to borrow Janniks Mindshift Horizon which I would have loved to try but I reminded him too late.
What backpack did you use to carry your gear?
I used two camera bags, a Lowepro Event Messenger 100 for longer hikes with the Fe 4/16-35 and the MD 2.5/100 and the 150 wich could fit all the lenses. This is a solution which works but isn't ideal, especially for longer hikes. I had planned to borrow Janniks Mindshift Horizon which I would have loved to try but I reminded him too late.
Apr 12, 2017 at 08:22 AM
p.1 #4Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Very nice, kind of reminds me of a blend between Hawaii and Iceland.
My wife and I are planning on going for our 10th anniversary and opening a really old bottle of Madeira
My wife and I are planning on going for our 10th anniversary and opening a really old bottle of Madeira
Apr 12, 2017 at 08:23 AM
p.1 #5Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Nice shots Phillip! I asked you on the FE thread if you were in Madeira but you probably didn't see it. I was right after all... 
What do you mean the South Coast is a concrete desert (jungle would be a better name)? But Funchal area does not represent the South Coast. Did you go to Jardim do Mar? Paul do Mar?
Looking forward to the rest of you photos.
I can add to this thread with an album of my own from 2014. I have been to Madeira several times and really love that place. Might even move there some day.
Here is the Flickr Album for Madeira
DSC_3562.jpg by Nuno Ramos, on Flickr
What do you mean the South Coast is a concrete desert (jungle would be a better name)? But Funchal area does not represent the South Coast. Did you go to Jardim do Mar? Paul do Mar?
Looking forward to the rest of you photos.
I can add to this thread with an album of my own from 2014. I have been to Madeira several times and really love that place. Might even move there some day.
Here is the Flickr Album for Madeira
DSC_3562.jpg by Nuno Ramos, on FlickrApr 12, 2017 at 08:40 AM
p.1 #6Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Spent a week on Madeira, the most interesting island we have visited other than
the British Isles. great shots. Has several world-class art museums and great
wines.
the British Isles. great shots. Has several world-class art museums and great
wines.
Apr 12, 2017 at 08:55 AM
p.1 #7Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Nice images! But your sensor needs a cleaning 
Apr 12, 2017 at 09:33 AM
p.1 #9Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
nampramos wrote:
What do you mean the South Coast is a concrete desert (jungle would be a better name)? But Funchal area does not represent the South Coast. Did you go to Jardim do Mar? Paul do Mar?
Sorry for missing the Question in the FE-images thread.
I probably do the whole South injustice when I call it a concrete-something because my impression was based on what I saw from Funchal and Canico where we stayed. We did one round trip around the island but there we didn't stop before we reached the West-coast.
What do you mean the South Coast is a concrete desert (jungle would be a better name)? But Funchal area does not represent the South Coast. Did you go to Jardim do Mar? Paul do Mar?
Sorry for missing the Question in the FE-images thread.
I probably do the whole South injustice when I call it a concrete-something because my impression was based on what I saw from Funchal and Canico where we stayed. We did one round trip around the island but there we didn't stop before we reached the West-coast.
Apr 12, 2017 at 10:04 AM
p.1 #10Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Then you definitely missed a lot. Next time be sure to stop at Jardim do Mar. Or better yet, stay there during your trip.
Funchal and Caniço are definitely not indicator of what Madeira (or the south coast) are.
Did you manage to do some astro photography from the top of one of the peaks?
I have some shots on the link I shared but back then I didn't have the A7s neither did I have a good lens for astro but anyway they didn't turn out bad at all since the skies are so dark in Madeira and you're pretty high up above the clouds.
Funchal and Caniço are definitely not indicator of what Madeira (or the south coast) are.
Did you manage to do some astro photography from the top of one of the peaks?
I have some shots on the link I shared but back then I didn't have the A7s neither did I have a good lens for astro but anyway they didn't turn out bad at all since the skies are so dark in Madeira and you're pretty high up above the clouds.
Apr 12, 2017 at 10:46 AM
p.1 #11Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Great shots and beautiful location! Thank you for including the focal length and other information.
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
Apr 12, 2017 at 11:02 AM
p.1 #12Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
nampramos wrote:
Then you definitely missed a lot. Next time be sure to stop at Jardim do Mar. Or better yet, stay there during your trip.
Funchal and Caniço are definitely not indicator of what Madeira (or the south coast) are.
Did you manage to do some astro photography from the top of one of the peaks?
I have some shots on the link I shared but back then I didn't have the A7s neither did I have a good lens for astro but anyway they didn't turn out bad at all since the skies are so dark in Madeira and you're pretty high...Show more →
We only had 7 days so there was plenty to discover in the North-West and on the higher mountains. We had full moon which made astro a bit harder and I only attempted it once, more on that in part III. But good to know that there are still large parts to discover on a further trip
Apr 12, 2017 at 11:17 AM
p.1 #13Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
RoseandCharles wrote:
Great shots and beautiful location! Thank you for including the focal length and other information.
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
I can share some before and after shots if you would like
Apr 12, 2017 at 11:19 AM
p.1 #14Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Phillip Reeve wrote:
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.I can share some before and after shots if you would like
I am interested in your steps and processes. Do you use Lightroom / Photoshop / both? Sharpening, curves, color profiles, etc.?
RoseandCharles wrote
Great shots and beautiful location! Thank you for including the focal length and other information.How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
I am interested in your steps and processes. Do you use Lightroom / Photoshop / both? Sharpening, curves, color profiles, etc.?
Apr 12, 2017 at 11:26 AM
p.1 #15Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
RoseandCharles wrote:
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.I can share some before and after shots if you would likeI am interested in your steps and processes. Do you use Lightroom / Photoshop / both? Sharpening, curves, color profiles, etc.?
Any specific image you are interested in?
Phillip Reeve wrote
RoseandCharles wrote
Great shots and beautiful location! Thank you for including the focal length and other information.How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
Any specific image you are interested in?
Apr 12, 2017 at 01:04 PM
p.1 #16Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Philip,
I can't speak for R&C, but I agree that your processing has always been excellent and distinctive...
One thing about images like this is as a viewer you never really know what the conditions were like when the shot was taken, so it can be hard to picture what manipulations were made to take it from SOOC to what we see on the screen.
In my mind, this starts with how you exposed the shot, where you set the highlights, and then moves to what/how you made contrast, exposure, shadow/highlight, black/white adjustments in the shot.
And then further into the vibrance, clarity, saturation and dehaze adjustments.
EDIT... As far as images, the first three where you held the sun and have pretty solid DR in the image probably required the most work to achieve a good balance, unless things just fell together.
I can't speak for R&C, but I agree that your processing has always been excellent and distinctive...
One thing about images like this is as a viewer you never really know what the conditions were like when the shot was taken, so it can be hard to picture what manipulations were made to take it from SOOC to what we see on the screen.
In my mind, this starts with how you exposed the shot, where you set the highlights, and then moves to what/how you made contrast, exposure, shadow/highlight, black/white adjustments in the shot.
And then further into the vibrance, clarity, saturation and dehaze adjustments.
EDIT... As far as images, the first three where you held the sun and have pretty solid DR in the image probably required the most work to achieve a good balance, unless things just fell together.
Apr 12, 2017 at 01:40 PM
p.1 #17Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Great series Philip! Color and contrast are fantastic. The 16-35ZA and CV 35 served you well. I'm mainly shooting with the zoom and ZM 35 which is similar to your set-up. Three other lenses I can't part with are the CV 12, Loxia 21 and ZM 85.
Apr 12, 2017 at 02:53 PM
p.1 #18Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Phillip Reeve wrote:
How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.I can share some before and after shots if you would likeI am interested in your steps and processes. Do you use Lightroom / Photoshop / both? Sharpening, curves, color profiles, etc.? Any specific image you are interested in?
I'm interested in this one specifically:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2914/33864446531_66af86d6b7_o.jpg
Thank you!
RoseandCharles wrote
Phillip Reeve wrote
RoseandCharles wrote
Great shots and beautiful location! Thank you for including the focal length and other information.How do you post-process your photos? The processing is gentle but gorgeous.
I'm interested in this one specifically:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2914/33864446531_66af86d6b7_o.jpg
Thank you!
Apr 12, 2017 at 03:07 PM
p.1 #19Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Two things: did you ride a sedan chair downhill? And was there any evidence of a 07 museum? . . . I mean the one for CR, Madeira's most famous native.
Apr 12, 2017 at 04:40 PM
p.1 #20Trip-Report: Madeira with Sony a7ii
Fred Miranda wrote:
Great series Philip! Color and contrast are fantastic. The 16-35ZA and CV 35 served you well. I'm mainly shooting with the zoom and ZM 35 which is similar to your set-up. Three other lenses I can't part with are the CV 12, Loxia 21 and ZM 85.
At home I prefer manual primes so the rather large 16-35 usually stays at home but it is great to be flexible in a new location and apart from the flare resistancel I am very happy with the image quality.
I prefer 100mm to 85 and my perfect lens would have modern coatings and 10 aperture blades just like the Lox 85 but that is too expensive and too short for me.
I own the MP 2/100 which is a great lens but also quite big, focusing is meh and the CA bother me. The MD 2.5/100 doesn't have as good coatings but it is much smaller and pleasant to handle with very nice bokeh and sharpness is good as well. It caused some ghosting in heavily lifted shadows but apart from that it performed great on this trip.
Edited on Apr 13, 2017 at 12:38 AM · View previous versions
Great series Philip! Color and contrast are fantastic. The 16-35ZA and CV 35 served you well. I'm mainly shooting with the zoom and ZM 35 which is similar to your set-up. Three other lenses I can't part with are the CV 12, Loxia 21 and ZM 85.
At home I prefer manual primes so the rather large 16-35 usually stays at home but it is great to be flexible in a new location and apart from the flare resistancel I am very happy with the image quality.
I prefer 100mm to 85 and my perfect lens would have modern coatings and 10 aperture blades just like the Lox 85 but that is too expensive and too short for me.
I own the MP 2/100 which is a great lens but also quite big, focusing is meh and the CA bother me. The MD 2.5/100 doesn't have as good coatings but it is much smaller and pleasant to handle with very nice bokeh and sharpness is good as well. It caused some ghosting in heavily lifted shadows but apart from that it performed great on this trip.
Edited on Apr 13, 2017 at 12:38 AM · View previous versions
Apr 13, 2017 at 12:20 AM