Viniculture was definitely not on my agenda when I took a late-December break in Lanzarote. I was more focused on the sun, the acceptable 20-22 degree temperatures and, of course, a bit of wine consumption (rather than growing the stuff). I hadn’t expected to discover the island’s unusual volcanic viniculture, where black volcanic ash covers most of the land. A visit to the 250-year-old El Grifo winery set matters straight.
2025 Tamarkin Auction highlights and insights
At the risk of disappointing you, this World of Leica Auctions article has no astronomical sales figures. There are no special editions made for an actor, or for the Pope. It’s not about black paint Leica M cameras or the 100-year-old Leica I (Model A) camera with fixed 50mm Elmax f/3.5 lens, or other super-high-ticket items for which the Leica auction space and Tamarkin Auctions are known.
Macfilos Most-read Articles of 2025: Leica gear gets the views
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’.
Best of Macfilos Photography: Editorial picks 2025
At Macfilos we try to post well-written stories that are both informative and illustrated with great pictures. As a result, over the course of the year, the editorial team views thousands of images. Inevitably, some stand out. So, we decided to select our favourite Macfilos photographs of the year, and share them with our readers.
Shooting Anamorphic on the Leica TL2: Exploring a quirky corner of the L-Mount world
The growing collection of camera and lens manufacturers within the L-Mount ecosystem opens up some unlikely opportunities for camera-lens combinations. I have been exploring just such a quirky pairing. It’s a Chinese-manufactured anamorphic lens plus a long-discontinued Leica gem. Read on to learn where my exploration has taken me.
Searching for George in the Pacific Northwest
George was my great uncle, whom I met only once. Until a few weeks ago, he was buried in an unmarked grave in Kelowna, British Columbia. What was he doing there? Could we find his grave? Some details I have managed to track down, but many others remain unknown. Searching for George also meant an opportunity to explore a small part of British Columbia.
Hands-on with the Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C: Vintage looks but superb modern performance
It might not win the prize for the most succinct moniker, but the Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C certainly wins the prize for the most compact, medium-format, interchangeable-lens camera out there. It’s quite the looker, exuding oodles of retro-charm in a chrome-trimmed body reminiscent of a vintage Bentley. There is nothing vintage about its innards, though, as I discovered when I got my hands on one.
Highlights of 2025: Articles, reviews, and the Macfilos team
It’s been a momentous year for all of us at Macfilos Towers. We’ve managed to publish more articles than ever before. We should hit almost 250 published articles in 2025, as we sing “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve. Our page views have risen significantly thanks to the efforts of the team in sourcing unusual and compelling content. Editor Mike is also likely to pass a significant marker in the new year. (No, not that one). We will be excited to share that news and hope you will join with us to celebrate.
Leica Electronic Viewfinders: Alternatives to the M EV1
The launch of the Leica M EV1, which has a built-in electronic viewfinder instead of an optical rangefinder, has brought an interesting question back into focus. How can M cameras be augmented with accessory Leica electronic viewfinders? There have been different approaches to this over the years. Here comes an overview. It covers Leica’s electronic viewfinders from 2010 to the present.
Taking a Rolleiflex to the Leica Society International Annual Meeting
I recently did something bold, something brash, something I’m not proud of. I showed up to a Leica Society International (LSI) meeting with a Rolleiflex — a pristine 2.8F “Planar”, to be exact. Oscar Barnack would be rolling in his grave if he knew that I’d arrived at the opening reception with an exquisite, German-made Twin Lens Reflex dangling from my neck. Now I truly understood the idiom: bringing a knife to a gun fight.
My Fantastic Year of Photography with an “AI-Inside” Camera
In 2025, despite all the trials and tribulations of war, climate change, and imminent economic collapse, I’ve had the best photographic year ever! Allow me to show you, courtesy of my “AI-Inside” camera.
Comprehensive Leica firmware updates for the SL-System and Q3 Family
Leica Camera AG presents two firmware updates that bring comprehensive enhancements to current camera models in the Leica SL-System and the Leica Q3 family. Both firmware updates will enhance the performance of the respective cameras in key areas, enabling a more precise, faster, and more intuitive shooting experience for photos and video recording.
Ricoh GR Series: The ultimate street photography camera?
As readers know, I’m a great fan of the Ricoh GR series of cameras. Experienced photographers revere them for their minimalist design and cult status, as they deliver consistently high image quality and maintain a bland, discreet appearance that makes them ideal for casual, unnoticed photography.
Brian Bower’s legacy in the world of Leica photography
Acclaimed Leica authority Brian Bower has died at the age of 91. He was a prolific author and teacher of photography, and served for two years as president of the Royal Photographic Society. Professionally, he was an accountant and long-serving director of William Kenyon & Sons, a Manchester-based rope and fabric manufacturer.
Hasselblad Masters 2026 Competition: Now open for entries
Hasselblad has announced the launch of its Hasselblad Masters 2026 competition. The company is inviting professional photographers to submit their best work, captured with any camera system, for a chance to win a Hasselblad system, a substantial cash prize, and the coveted Hasselblad Masters title.