Imaging World Nuremberg 2025

Could This Be Photokina Reloaded?

by Marwan El Mozayen and Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

Photo: Martin Wagner (left), Head of Trends & Training, Ringfoto GmbH, and
Andreas Waldeck, Managing Director, Silvergrain Publishing UG

“Imaging World, the new flagship event for the photography industry, will also take place in 2026. The exact location and date have not yet been determined. However, we definitely want to showcase the experience of photography again between the end of September and the end of October 2026. The event concept for this trade fair, which we put together with so much blood, sweat, and tears, was extremely well received by experts and, above all, by our audience. As the organizers at Ringfoto, we are absolutely delighted about this and about the almost 15,000 visitors. Many even referred to it as a class reunion.”

Martin Wagner, Ringfoto GmbH

 

Photography Still Needs a Big Stage

Photokina left a big gap. Remember those days in Cologne? The entire photo world gathered in one place — literally tens of thousands of people, endless parking lots, and every major brand under one roof. The who’s who of photography met there, and the energy was electric.

We were there too, at the last Photokina in 2018, when we launched the very first issue of SilvergrainClassics magazine. It was unforgettable — the crowd, the conversations, the feeling that photography (in all its forms) mattered on a global scale. Nothing since has quite matched that level.

But photography still needs a big stage. Especially here in Germany, the largest economy in Europe, it feels essential to have a fair that truly represents our culture of image-making — and for the growing analog scene, a place to meet, touch, and test everything in one spot.

A New Energy in Nuremberg

That’s why Imaging World 2025 in Nuremberg was such a refreshing surprise. From October 10 to 12, the Ringfoto-organized fair brought in nearly 15,000 visitors, and for three days the NürnbergMesse buzzed with workshops, photowalks, talks, and tons of hands-on gear. It wasn’t just a trade show — it felt like a festival.

The organizers promised “the evolution of the RINGFOTO fair,” and they delivered: over 100 brands, 30+ workshops, and an audience mix of creators, pros, and curious newcomers. You could shoot portraits in live studios, test lighting setups, or just hang out with other photo nerds. Big names like Canon, Leica, and FUJIFILM instax were there — but so were the small innovators that make the scene interesting again.

 

The AnalogArea – Where the Magic Happened

For us analog folks, the real highlight was the AnalogArea. Finally, film photography got the dedicated space it deserves. More than 20 analog brands showed what’s possible in the hybrid age — and the crowds proved there’s serious demand.

Martin Wagner, Head of Trends & Training at Ringfoto, told SilvergrainClassics, hat the AnalogArea as one of the most popular parts of the fair, next year will be expand. And he’s right to do so.

 

The Analog Revival Was Verywhere

  • Plustek showed off updated film scanners.
  • LaserSoft Imaging teased the future of SilverFast software.
  • AuraLab Photo introduced the Aura 35 scanner, distributed by JOBO for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
  • FotoImpex brought ADOX film and chemistry, joined by CineStill Film with their camera-scanning kits and cinematic emulsions.
  • Even Voigtländer kept it classy with vintage-look lenses — a dream for Leica, Nikon, and M-mount shooters alike.

Photo: (from left) Philipp Haarländer (LaserSoft Imaging AG, Director of Marketing),
Andreas Waldeck (Silvergrain Publishing UG, Managing Director), Christopf Stamer (Plustek Technology GmbH, Marketing Manager)

 

Photo: Alexander Sievers-Horn (LaserSoft Imaging AG, Product Management)

 

Photo: (from left) Stephan Althoff (FUJIFILM Imaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Head of Marketing),
Andreas Waldeck (Silvergrain Publishing UG, Managing Director)

 

Photo: Mirko Böddecker (ADOX Fotowerke GmbH, Managing Director)

 

Photo: Johannes Bockemühl-Simon (JOBO International GmbH, Managing Director)

 

 

 

A Fair That Feels Like the Future

Imaging World 2025 might not be Photokina yet — but it’s the closest thing we’ve seen. It’s smaller, yes, but that’s also its charm. You can actually talk to people, try gear, and feel part of a real community.And let’s not forget: Nuremberg itself is a beautiful city — full of history, great food, and atmosphere — but still a bit under the radar for international visitors. This fair could easily change that. The organizers are open, curious, and eager to collaborate on fresh ideas, which makes the next edition even more exciting to imagine.

The Ringfoto team has already begun analyzing feedback and results from this year’s fair to improve and refine the concept further. We think this has real potential — and we’re already looking forward to Imaging World 2026, hopefully with an even bigger international audience, especially from the analog photography scene. Because that’s where the real magic of photography happens.

 

 

 

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