Macfilos’s readership continues to grow, as new enthusiasts discover the site and its distinctive perspective on photography. So, what types of articles attract the most interest from our readers, both long-standing and brand-new? Here’s another quarterly snapshot of the ten most-read articles. Although Macfilos covers many photography-related themes, one stands out as the clear favourite.
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 with that of 2022, Macfilos’s readership has increased by over 15%, year-over-year. It was at the beginning of that last quarter of 2022 that we began a concerted effort to help people find Macfilos articles among the torrent of daily internet output. That effort seems to have been successful. As we shall see in a forthcoming annual review article, 2023 has been a banner year for the site.
Over the last quarter, we posted over fifty articles, authored by fifteen different contributors. These covered breaking news, new-gear reviews, old-gear reviews, and travel photography.
Below are listed the ten articles that received the most views. As we noted in our last quarterly review, popular articles continue to accrue views long after they are posted. Consequently, a number of the articles in this fourth quarter top-ten list were published many months ago.
Looking at the list, it is clear that gear-related stories continue to generate the most interest. All ten of these articles were about camera gear, and five of those were about Leica cameras or lenses. Even the articles not specifically covering Leica gear spoke to the Leica ecosystem: M-Mount, L-Mount, and rangefinder kit.
Guess what’s dominating the list?
Within the team, Jörg-Peter was able to make a particularly substantial contribution to our programme of the last quarter. Our in-house M-system expert saw five of his articles hit the top ten list. We are fortunate to have hands-on Leica experts such as Jörg-Peter, Jono Slack, and William Fagan as regular contributors to the site. But, we are just as grateful for all those other contributors, who have authored articles or added comments.
Although this snapshot highlights the ten most-read articles of the quarter, let’s not forget the other forty-plus stories we covered. Whether it’s travel, street, architectural, landscape, or even food photography, there’s something there for all tastes.
Without further ado, let’s dive in and have a look. In customary fashion, we’ll go in reverse order.
10. A rangefinder beginner goes rogue
In the third article of his series on a beginner’s introduction to the rangefinder world, Keith takes a surprising turn. He explores a two-body, two-lens kit comprising an M240, a TL2, and a couple of stellar M-lenses. Hybridizing these full-frame and APS-C options yields four useful fields of view.
Rangefinder Photography: A beginner goes rogue with a two body kit
Keith James, November 17th, 2023
9. A rangefinder beginner dives deeper
Eschewing the shallows, Keith paddles into the deeper water of rangefinder photography with a two-lens kit. In this second instalment of his introductory series, he makes the case that all you ever need are two lenses. Sacrilege! Which two focal lengths does he choose, though? Have a look and see if you approve of his choice.
Rangefinder Photography: A beginner dives deeper with a two-lens kit
Keith James, October 6th, 2023
8. What’s coming next from Leica
Here’s an article continuing to attract interest over a year after it was posted. Mike outlined the tasty treats that might be available to Leica fans this year and next. So far, his projections are on the money. I wonder if he is a betting man?
New Leica cameras for 2023 and 2024
Mike Evans, November 16th, 2022
7. The M Files tackles the Zeiss Ikon SW
In his remarkable, ongoing survey of the M-Mount ecosystem, Jörg-Peter looks in depth at a fascinating camera from Zeiss. Envisaged as a less expensive version of the Ikon rangefinder, the SW is an example of a finder-less camera. Featuring many innovations, the camera was a test of whether photographers really required a finder to take photos. Spoiler alert: it turns out they did.
The M Files (21): Zeiss Ikon SW
Jörg-Peter Rau, November 8th, 2023
6. The world of APS-C cameras
Unlike Leica, most of the world’s leading camera brands remain active in the APS-C arena. In this article, we are treated to a comprehensive review of the leading APS-C camera options. Jörg-Peter poses the perennial question — whether Leica’s decision to abandon this format is proven to have been a strategic mistake.
APS-C cameras: The world keeps turning after the death of the Leica CL
Jörg-Peter Rau, October 4th, 2023
5. The Nocticlones march on
Back in the summer, Ed managed to get his hands on a low-cost alternative to the imperious Leica Noctilux. Readers are still eager to learn what he makes of this ultra-fast lens. It’s not often that we see a review of a Chinese-manufactured lens. Ed gives us a first look at how it performs. The results are impressive.
March of the Nocticlones
Ed Schwartzreich, August 23rd, 2023
4. Peak Design Cuff
As a self-professed connoisseur in the world of camera wrist straps, Mike gives us his assessment of a model from Peak Design. The Cuff is part of a versatile and flexible system, allowing use of a single wrist (or neck) strap on multiple cameras. Mike even shows us an ingenious way of slipping the strap’s fastening loop through a recalcitrant camera lug, using an item usually found in the bathroom.
Peak Design Cuff: The nifty system strap for Leica M, Q, and SL cameras
Mike Evans, December 18th, 2023
3. The perfect bag for your rangefinder kit
In another article, which has rocketed into the top ten list, Jörg-Peter reviews the options for safely carrying your rangefinder gear when you are out and about. Whether you adopt a minimalist approach, with a rangefinder body and a couple of lenses, or like to take everything but the kitchen sink, he has a bag for you.
The M-Files (22): Which is the perfect bag for a rangefinder kit?
Jörg-Peter Rau, December 20th, 2023
2. The PIXII Rangefinder
Jörg-Peter’s definitive review of this modern take on a rangefinder camera remains tremendously popular. It undoubtedly received a boost from more recent articles announcing updates to the PiXii system. Posted earlier in the year, the article is a contender for a spot high on the top ten most-read Macfilos articles of 2023. Jörg-Peter gives us his unbiased assessment of a digital M-mount camera designed from scratch — but not by Leica.
New kid on the block: The Pixii rangefinder camera review gives you the full story
Jörg-Peter Rau, April 17th, 2023
1. Leica M6 price drops under 2022 level
Our most-read article of the quarter had the three magic ingredients: film photography; an M-camera; and Leica prices!
Jörg-Peter highlighted the paradox of discounted prices in the face of apparent waiting lists for the M6 film camera. In a remarkable deal, trading-in a used film camera would yield a minimum €500 price reduction on a new M6. You can read much more about this camera and Leica’s commitment to film photography by searching the Macfilos archives.
Leica M6 price drops under 2022 level – thanks to a trade-in offer in Germany
Jörg-Peter Rau, November 29th, 2023
We hope you have enjoyed this brief review of the ten most-read articles of the quarter. In case you missed, or would like to revisit any, the links will take you directly to the article. If you have been tempted to write an article, but have never got around to it, we hope some of these will encourage you to give it a whirl. You can find more information about contributing to Macfilos by pressing the ‘Write for us’ button below.
We’ll be back next month with a review of the entire year. It was a cracker!
Here are the most-read articles of the previous quarter
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Impressive series of articles. The authors should be proud of themselves.
Hi Jason, many thanks for this summary. It is very helpful for those of us who do not visit the site every day. I can now go straight to the articles that most people viewed. Cheers, Hywel.