Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 32 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) | 182 mm | 270 mm | 121 mm | 91 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 363 mm | 541 mm | 242 mm | 182 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 545 mm | 811 mm | 363 mm | 273 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 727 mm | 1,081 mm | 485 mm | 363 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 1,090 mm | 1,622 mm | 727 mm | 545 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,817 mm | 2,703 mm | 1,211 mm | 909 mm |
About the Common Murre#
The common murre or common guillemot (Uria aalge) is a large auk. It is also known as the thin-billed murre in North America. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Puffins return to burrows with fish in summer — sit and wait above the colony.
- Bright sand and surf fool meters — dial in exposure manually or with auto-ISO and compensation.
- Sightings peak in July, August and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.
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 Auks, Murres, and Puffins#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Common Murre?
At about 32 cm long, a common murre fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 363 mm, or at 20 m with 727 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Common Murre?
1/1000 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/4000 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Common Murre?
Observations in North America peak in July, August and September. 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