This quarter’s review of the most-read Macfilos articles highlights our coverage of the world beyond Leica cameras and lenses. Guess which brands sneaked in to the top ten list?
If you have read any of the previous “Macfilos Top Ten” articles, you are probably fed up with hearing how the lists are dominated by gear reviews. Well, this quarter we will be adding to your misery.
All but one of this quarter’s top ten were gear reviews. But, only half of them concerned Leica gear. It seems our readers are also keen to hear about a select subset of other brands. These include FujiFilm, Ricoh, and OM System, as well as non-Leica M-lens manufacturers.
It was a busy three months for contributors and editors. We posted well over sixty articles, from twenty-six different authors. A sincere thanks to everyone who wrote an article and everyone who commented on them.
A number of our articles came from “first-time” Macfilos contributors, which is extremely encouraging. Members of the editorial team were on hand to guide these newbies all the way from draft to finished article. So, if you are tempted to try your hand and join the club, press the “write for us” button at the end of this article.
Beginning an auspicious year
This first quarter has opened a particularly auspicious year for the Leica community, of which we feel an integral part. It is of course the centennial of the launch of the Leica M camera. As well as covering Leica-led events throughout the year, we are joining the celebrations directly.
We have launched a “What Leica means to me” series of articles. These are written by some of our previous contributors and most active supporters.
It has been a treat to learn about the different ways these photographers developed their connection with Leica. And, to our delight, one article from this series even made it into our 1Q25 top-ten most-read list.
There are lots more of these to come as the centennial year unfolds.
One final observation about the list is the continuing popularity of articles from previous years. There are multiple such examples in this quarter’s list. We have remarked upon this before, but there are probably several factors contributing to this phenomenon.
One is the ease with which older articles can be spotted on our home page, courtesy of the new format. Another, is the effort we put in to make it easy for search engines to find our articles. Long may this continue!
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the articles that proved most popular with you, our readers. As usual, we will go in reverse order.
10. Gone but not forgotten
Jon tells us about two quite different Leica digital cameras, under-appreciated at launch, but nevertheless influencing future camera designs. The Leica M (262) and Leica T (Type 701) each pursued a minimalist approach to functionality and ergonomics. But, their “stripped-down” personas were probably rather too radical at the time. However, we can see this philosophy subsequently embraced in many of the cameras that followed.
Two Leica digital cameras with legacies that defied initial criticism
Jon Cheffings, 12 March 2025
9. Stand up and take a bow
Here’s a fantastic example of an older Macfilos article which readers have re-discovered. Part of Jörg-Peter’s outstanding M-Files series, this one highlights five non-Leica M-lenses worthy of serious consideration. Check out the article, and then dip in to the many articles in the series to explore the world of non-Leica M-Mount gear.
The M Files Encore: Five particularly recommendable M-Mount lenses
Jörg-Peter Rau, 10 May 2021
8. A photographer with a Leica
This contribution to our “What Leica means to me” series, from Dennis, really hit the spot for many readers. As well as sharing some wonderful photos taken on his travels, he describes his passion for Leica. But, he also makes clear he is a photographer with a Leica, not a Leica photographer.
A Passion for Leica: Not a Leica photographer but a photographer with a Leica
Dennis Anguige, 18 March 2025
7. Another retro gem
Talking of classics, here’s a classic review by Jono of the latest release from the Leica Classic line. In true Jono fashion, we get a detailed evaluation of the lens, as well as a tasty collection of images. This is the kind of review that Macfilos is well known for, and just what our readers are after.
Leica Launches the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4: Another retro gem in the Classic Line
Jonathan Slack, 20 February 2025
6. A unique retro travel camera rides again
This article, by Melbourne-based Jason, probably holds the record for being the most deeply buried post in our back catalogue to have made it to a top ten list. Is it photographers, forlornly seeking alternatives to the unobtainable X100VI, who have sought it out? Or, perhaps, the X20 scratches an itch for vintage digital cameras still relevant today. There is no doubt, though, that seven years on, the article is still going strong.
FujiFilm X20: The unique retro travel camera still impresses
Jason Hannigan, 25 July 2018
5. A highly pocketable performer
This little camera has long been popular with Macfilos readers. Nevertheless, it is always a treat to hear a fresh take on the Ricoh GRIIIx, and to see how well it takes pictures. Andrew chose it for a trip to Spain, hoping to capture some great shots with this highly pocketable performer. Spoiler alert: it worked out really well.
The Pocketable Ricoh GRIIIx HDF – good enough?
Andrew Tobin, 7 February 2025
4. WATE, is it really gone?
In his second entry in the table, Jörg-Peter pays tribute to the Leica Wide-angle Tri-Elmar-M, or WATE. At the beginning of the year, Leica announced the discontinuation of this quirky, but highly regarded lens. So, Jörg-Peter took the opportunity to tell us all about it, and share some of the wide-angle images he captured with this puppy.
Discontinued Leica WATE: Farewell to a unique lens
Jörg-Peter Rau, 24 January 2025
3. Through Italy with OM System, old and new
Completing his hat trick, and sealing his complete domination of the match, Jörg-Peter scores a winner with article number three. He puts two related cameras, from two distinct eras, to the test on his trip through a spectacular country. It’s a great story, with terrific images. And, he draws some interesting conclusions from his experience.
OM System Old and New: Through Italy with an Olympus OM-4 and an OM-5
Jörg-Peter Rau, 3 February 2025
2. Q3 goes to the dark side
Andrew’s study of the inhabitants of the Scottish Island of Skye is proving to be a perennial favourite. Despite being posted in mid-2024, it is still receiving large numbers of views. His long-term review of the Leica Q3, and stellar nighttime images of people at work, makes for a great read, even in the daytime.
Leica Q3: A one-year review, photographing the people of Skye by night
Andrew Tobin, 14 June 2024
1. Resistance is futile, so best just to give in
There has been tremendous interest in the Leica Q3 43 since its release last year. Photographers who were tempted by a Q3, but not its 28mm field-of-view, jumped at the option of a longer focal length. Claus’s review of the camera has ridden that wave of interest, becoming the most read-article on Macfilos this quarter by some distance. It’s Macfilos at its best — a real world, long-term review by a practicing photographer, with great photos to boot.
Leica Q3 43 in real life: Resistance is futile, so I gave in and got the thing after all
Claus Sassenberg, 31 January 2025
We hope you have enjoyed this quick reprise of our most-read articles of the year so far. If you missed any, here’s your chance to plug that gap. And even if you have already read them, we think they are well worth a second look!
A cup of coffee works wonders in supporting Macfilos
Did you know that Macfilos is run by a dedicated team of volunteers? We rely on donations to help pay our running costs. And even the cost of a cup of coffee will do wonders for our energy levels.
Well, article 5 got me to sell my Fujifilm x100 XI and finally cave in to purchase a Ricoh GRIIIx HDF. My Fujifilm was an incredible investment that sold immediately for major profit.
I have long rejected a camera with no viewfinder but two things converged to change that. I got somewhat more used to it with my iphone but hated the haptics and so on. The other discovery was my recent change from the arm stretching Leica SL2 and lens to the OM System OM1 Mark II. The relatively small and lightweight OM1 and the amazing Panasonic Leica 12-60 (24-120mm equivalent) made the not pocketable Fujifilm sit on the shelf and collect dust.
I still wish it had a viewfinder but it is my best current option. I am a happy photographer.
I am a massive fan of the Ricoh GRIII, although I haven’t tried the x or the HDF versions. It is seldom my only camera, but I take it with me as a second camera when travelling. The lens is sharp, and the APS-C sensor means that it punches well above its weight when it comes to results. I agree with you on the lack of a viewfinder. I own the tiny 28mm Ricoh OVF but find it fiddly and not much help. And it makes the camera less pocketable. I have long since resigned myself to the fact that any move to add an EVF to the Ricoh would ruin its reason for existence. It just has to fit into a small pocket and to be a companion on those occasions when you don’t want to carry a larger camera. If I’m honest, though, it really does produce results to compare with the much larger Fuji, and it would be no hardship to rely on it as a full-time camera. Mike
Thanks Brian – I hope you’re enjoying the little beast.