Reddit mentions of Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Imaging Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens

I'll try not to write twenty pages but I usually look up or contact the venue just to double check their rules. Some venues, usually smaller ones, don't even require a pass and you can just bring a camera. In my experience tho the venue relies on the artist for a guest/press list.

I usually contact the artist's manager/tour manager - you can usually find that info on their website, facebook or just google it - and I do this 1-3 weeks out from the show. Also good to mention that if they're not the person to contact, if they could point you in the right direction that's great. Usually people will ignore you but I've accidentally contacted a marketing guy or an old manager that put me in touch with the right guy because of that.

You really don't need to say much. A basic template, and it can be even less, would be like:

> hi my name is eirtep. I am a [city]-based [music journalist/photographer whatever]. I am requesting a basic photo pass to [band's] [date] show at the [venue] in [city]. I've shot a number of shows at this location and I'm familiar with the layout and rules. I do not use a flash or lights and only seek access to the photo pit for photo/video.

> [optional sentence or about other relevant bands shot (related to band asking about or the venue or whatever you have + links to these examples, if possible, that they won't bother to look at]

> More examples of my work can be found at [website that they wont look at]

> [optional sentence asking if anyone would like a copy of the finished work in return for the press pass and proper credit - had a few IG and FB posts from this]

> Please let me know if I am contacting the wrong people.

as for #2, it's highly dependent on your budget. Youtube and subs like /r/videography and /r/filmmaking are helpful to learn. considering I shot my first show on a shitty old Canon T2i I think you'll be ok as long as you don't go too cheap. A fast lens, like f1.8 or ideally f1.4 is more important than the camera since it's probably dark in the venue. Plus lenses (usually) stay with you, I've been through multiple camera bodies but I've kept my lenses. I currently shoot on a Pansonic GH5 which is fairly cheap as far as cameras go. It's more of a video camera than a stills one, but I'm a more video-guy so that's fine for me. The Sony A7sii is a low light beast so I could see that being good.

No one's gonna judge you for your shitty camera, you have the pass so ppl assume you're supposed to be there, because you are.

All that being said you can also just shoot at more low key/local act venues to get a feel for shit and to have "examples." Also, once you should like 1 show you can automatically say you've shot like 4 bands because of the openers and shit. It helps you have a blog to say you're working for. Though maybe it's in my head, but I feel i've had better luck just using the word "photo" pass instead of "press." it's the same thing, but maybe they're worried about a bad review/write up? I dno.

hope that helps a bit.