Here we are again, the start of a new year! As well as formulating their new-year resolutions, the Macfilos team have been running the numbers and compiling our line-up of the most-read articles of 2025. It will probably come as no surprise to learn that you could sum up the year’s most popular articles in two words: ‘Leica’ and ‘gear’.
Macfilos posted a record number of articles during 2025 — almost two-hundred and fifty. That’s an average of over four articles per week. Although the bulk of those were published on our Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, we also posted many others covering breaking news. An output like this was only possible because of the record number of Macfilos contributors — almost fifty.
In large measure, these magnificent statistics reflect the commitment we made to covering Leica’s centenary celebrations of its launch of the M-camera. Many of our regular or long-standing contributors wrote articles as part of our “What Leica Means to Me” series. In fact, one of those articles made it to the most-read articles of 2025 list.
What Macfilos readers like
As in previous years, our ‘most-read’ list is dominated by articles about Leica cameras and lenses. In fact, eight of the top-twelve most-read articles of 2025 refer to Leica. There is no doubting we have a dedicated readership that is passionate about this brand.
While most social-media channels cover a wide range of camera brands, we try to cater to a much narrower demographic. It’s one that appreciates the craftsmanship for which Leica, and “Leica-adjacent” brands, are known.
And if Leica has been one of the year’s major themes, the other is ‘gear’. Nine of the twelve most-read articles on our list represent a review of a lens or camera.
Real-world reviews
We are sure you would agree that reading a review when considering an expensive purchase is a prudent step. Reading a review written by someone who owns the item, or has lived with it for many months, is even better. This is where Macfilos reviews stand out — in-depth accounts of how gear works in practice, warts and all, by real-world users.
And let’s not forget the photos. We regularly post articles that have the magic trifecta of great pictures, taken with a new bit of kit, that has been manufactured by Leica. Our most-read article of the year is one of those.
We have also enjoyed numerous travelogues, giving us beautiful photos of fascinating destinations, interwoven with reflections on the camera and lenses used.
Not just Leica
Our regular brand coverage extends to several other manufacturers who make gear our readers would like to know more about. Thus, we have posted articles about Fujifilm, Ricoh, Olympus, Panasonic, and Hasselblad equipment over the course of the year. Several of these also made our list.
We try to keep readers informed of what’s new in the L-Mount Alliance world, and have fans and owners of both Panasonic and Sigma lenses amongst our team. The Macfilos archive covers many outstanding third-party lenses that fit Leica SL-series cameras.
All in all, it’s been a very busy, but enjoyable year at Macfilos Towers. We greatly appreciate the support of you, our readers, and we are especially grateful for all the shared perspectives and knowledge in the comments section. As always, we welcome new contributors. So, if you’ve been thinking about dipping your toe in the water, press the button below and get in touch.
Now, onto the list of the Macfilos most-read articles of 2025. Enjoy!
12. Discovering the Real Cuba: Beyond the tourist sites
This, the most recently posted article on the list, has rocketed up the rankings in remarkable fashion. Its blend of superb photography, beautiful images, and emotionally-charged location has connected with a diverse contingent of readers.
Unusually for Macfilos, we intervened to urge commenters to stick to photography and avoid politics. Lots of readers wanted to share their perspectives. If you have not already seen it, it’s a terrific read.
Discovering the Real Cuba: Beyond the tourist sites
James Rice, 28 November 2025
11. M-files Encore: Five recommendable M-Mount lenses
Sometimes, an article from our archive receives a new lease of life, discovered by new readers, or picked up by a search engine. That’s certainly the case for this entry in Jörg-Peter’s groundbreaking series on non-Leica M-lenses and rangefinder cameras. If you are after recommendations on the best lenses to pair with your film or digital M camera, look no further.
The M-Files Encore: Five particularly recommendable M-Mount lenses
Jörg-Peter Rau, 10 May 2021
10. OM-System Old and New: Traveling through Italy
Here’s Jörg-Peter’s second entry in our list of Macfilos most-read articles of 2025, this one from the beginning of the year. He leads us through his experience of traveling in one of the world’s most beautiful countries, equipped with an unusual pair of cameras. Pairing a vintage film camera with a contemporary digital, both from the same stable, led to some surprising conclusions.
OM System Old and New: Through Italy with an Olympus OM-4 and an OM-5
Jörg-Peter Rau, 3 February 2025
9. Leica M11 Monochrom after eight months of testing
Aided by some of Leica’s most-trusted photographers, Macfilos offers readers the definitive review of new Leica equipment. As a result, viewership of these articles continues to grow, long after the review was posted. That is the case with Jonathan Slack’s review of this remarkable camera, a prime example of Leica’s commitment to monochrome photography.
Review: Leica M11 Monochrom after eight months of testing
Jonathan Slack, 13 April 2023
8. The new Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 Classic Line
Here is another hands-on review by Jono — this time of a Leica lens — almost certainly destined to become a resource for years to come. Leica continues to produce modern versions of its most iconic lenses, and this one, in the widely used 50mm focal length, could well end up on the wish-list for many Leica shooters.
Long-Term Review: The new Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 Classic Line
Jonathan Slack, 20 Feb 2025
7. Fujifilm X100VI Review: The best fixed-lens compact?
Mike’s review of this tasty bit of kit from Fujifilm continues to find readers even eighteen months after publication. The camera continues to impress and, importantly, is now readily available. Its good looks, excellent optical performance, and portability have made for a winning package. You can learn all about it in Mike’s deep-dive review.
Fujifilm X100VI Review: Is this the best fixed-lens compact on the market?
Mike Evans, 2 August 2024
6. The purity and the privilege of owning a Leica
Bud Parr’s tribute to Leica, part of our “What Leica Means to Me” series, has been a huge hit. He outlines, beautifully what makes Leica cameras special, and why he enjoys using one. If you’ve been curious about the attraction Leica cameras hold for so many photographers, Bud’s article reveals all.
The purity and the privilege of owning a Leica
Bud Parr, 11 August 2025
5. FujiFilm X20: The unique retro travel camera
Talk about a rave from the grave. Jason Hannigan’s article, from way back in 2018, continues to feature in our periodic ‘most-read’ lists. The passage of time has clearly done nothing to diminish the interest in this review. Perhaps it’s because if you type ‘Fujifilm X20 review’ into a Google search, this is the first entry that pops up. Impressive!
Fujifilm X20: The unique retro travel camera that still impresses
Jason Hannigan, 25 July 2018
4. Leica launches M11-S camera
We feel slightly sheepish about highlighting the success of this article in terms of viewing numbers, because it was a prank! To mark this year’s April Fools’ Day, Keith cooked up a bogus tale of the first, left-handed, Leica M camera. He cunningly tapped into the growing anticipation of a new M camera model to celebrate Leica’s centenary — perhaps even an M camera with a different kind of viewfinder. Well, it seems lots of people fell for it…
Leica launches M11-S camera, with radical new viewfinder
Keith James, 1 April 2025
3. Leica Q3: Photographing the people of Skye by night
This one just keeps going and going! Andrew’s photographic treatise on what people get up to after dark on the Isle of Skye, continues to rack up the views. Perhaps it’s something to do with the superb photography, or the fascinating topic, or the clever title? Or, the built-in review of a hugely popular camera, the Leica Q3? Or, all of the above? We don’t think we’ve seen the last of this one!
Leica Q3: A one-year review, photographing the people of Skye by night
Andrew Tobin, 14 June 2024
2. Tesla Model 3: Long-term review over four years
Editor Mike has a highly developed nose for what might be of interest to our readership, and has a remarkable ability to sniff out high-impact articles. Even those which have nothing to do with photography, it seems! Mercifully, this review of life with a Tesla 3 model did not make it to first place in this list of most-read articles on a Photography blog! But, at several points during the year, we thought it might. Phew!
Tesla Model 3: Long term review over four years
Mike Evans, 12 February 2025
1. Leica Q3 43 in Real Life: Resistance is futile
And the winner is… The Macfilos most-read article of 2025 has all the magic ingredients of a story that people want to read. It is superbly written, filled with great photos, and constitutes a hands-on review of one of the hottest cameras of the year — the Leica Q3 43.
Claus’s article was a high-water mark for us in 2025, in terms of both viewing numbers, and readership enjoyment. We will be aiming to post many more like it in 2026.
Leica Q3 43 in Real Life: Resistance is futile, so I gave in and got the thing
Claus Sassenberg, 31 January 2025
We hope you enjoyed seeing this compilation of Macfilos most-read articles of 2025. At the beginning of each year, we have no idea which articles will make the list, twelve months down the road. So, it’s always fascinating to learn which of the many articles posted grabs the attention of our wider readership. If you are a regular visitor to the Macfilos site, you have probably already read the twelve articles listed above. But if you haven’t, you can use the links to take a look.
A big thanks to everyone who has contributed articles over the year. Please keep them coming in 2026.
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