Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 150 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 39 mm | 59 mm | 26 mm | 20 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 79 mm | 119 mm | 52 mm | 39 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 118 mm | 178 mm | 79 mm | 59 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 157 mm | 237 mm | 105 mm | 79 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 236 mm | 356 mm | 157 mm | 118 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 393 mm | 593 mm | 262 mm | 196 mm |
About the Mountain Lion#
The cougar (Puma concolor), also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount, is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae native to the Americas. Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the most widespread of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. An adaptable, generalist species, the cougar is found in most American habitat types.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Bobcats hunt at dawn in grassland edges — be patient.
- Dawn and dusk activity means high ISO — prioritise shutter speed and accept some noise.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Felids#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Mountain Lion?
At about 150 cm long, a mountain lion fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 79 mm, or at 20 m with 157 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Mountain Lion?
1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Mountain Lion?
Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources