Samuel Docker

I’m Sam, a wedding photographer based in the heart of England. I started out as a creative product designer, dabbled with my own fashion business, then one day I bought a Canon AE-1 on eBay, and I was hooked.

4 years down the line, and having shot weddings all over the UK, Europe and even the Philippines, I still thank my lucky stars that I decided to buy that camera. The Canon AE-1 is the single greatest item I have ever owned. I owe so much to that camera, it was my education and changed everything.

After that, I started with the Canon 5D Mark II, but now shoot on 2 Canon 5D Mark III ’s, they’re real workhorses! I couldn’t survive weddings without those silent shutters or dual card slots.

I had a couple of zooms and primes in the early days, but very quickly decided to sell the zooms and re-invest into the prime L series. I already had the Canon 35mm f/1.4 and then soon added the Canon 24mm f/1.4 II and Canon 135mm f/2. For me, there is no lens sharper out of the middle than that 135mm, when it nails it, wowzers!

The Canon 35mm f/1.4 used to be my regular go-to lens, until I added the Canon 50mm f/1.2. Not the most reliable in my bag, but it more than makes up for it, I love this lens, especially for portraits. I also recently changed my Canon 85mm f/1.8 for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. To mix it up, I also own and love the Canon 45mm TS-E f/2.8. Amazing for those portraits against huge backdrops or into the backlight.

For the majority of the day, and depending on my mood, I have the Canon 35mm f/1.4 or Canon 50mm f/1.2 on one body, and then mix the others up depending on what situations arise with the 2nd body. I also have the Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip on my main body, mostly to encourage more portrait shooting. I wish I shot more portraits!

I have been tempted to add the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro to my bag, and more recently the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II having read some good reviews, but for now, I’m happy zooming with my feet and saving some $$!!

For after the sun goes down, I have 2 Canon 430EX II speedlites, a Canon 580EX II speedlite, 2 pairs of Phottix Strato Wireless Triggers for off camera flash and an adjustable WB LED Panel. I also carry a solid maglite, always a handy tool!

Kit Summary:

2 x Canon 5D Mark III’s
Canon 24mm f/1.4
Canon 35mm f/1.4
Canon 45mm f/2.8 TS-E
Canon 50mm f/1.2
Sigma 85mm f/1.4
Canon 135mm f/2

2 x Canon 430EX II Speedlites
Canon 580EX II Speedlite
2x Pairs of Phottix Strato Wireless Triggers
Professional LED video light 312AS
Maglite
Magmods

Other Stuff:

Spiderholster Dual Belt Clips
Billingham Hadley Pro Original Bag
Think Tank Airport Accelerator

www.samueldocker.co.uk

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