EOS Rebel T7i locking up using EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS III USM in TV and AV mode

[HawkMom6]

HELP!!  I recently purchased the above mentioned lens (70-200 f/2.8L III).  I have the EOS Rebel T7i camera.  I am an amateur sport's photographer, doing my kids games, etc.  I am the team photographer, and on the sideline for high school and youth football games and finally bit the bullet and upgraded to this awesome lens.  Unfortunately, it is locking up on my in TV mode and then with AV mode also.  I switched to sport mode and it did not lock up once.  Due to the time (evening/night), I have learned to use TV mode to get any decent pictures.  So with my new lens, I started out the same way, using TV mode, 1/1000 shutter speed, and ISO 100 or 200.  (it was lighter at the beginning of the game).  But, my camera starting locking up and nothing but taking the battery out would fix it.  I played with the settings in TV and it kept doing it.  I switched to AV mode and adjusted the settings to get good quality pics and it locked up after only a few pictures.  

I am not the most knowledgeable about the new lens as its brand new, but I have never had my camera lock up like this.  

Anyone else have this problem??  Suggestions to fix this??  Is it my camera or just some settings I need to adjust?  

I appreciate any tips, suggestions, and help!  Thank you! 

[HawkMom6]

Thanks for everyone’s help!! I finally had a game yesterday and was able to try out the lens again. I had reset all the settings, turned off the stabilization, set it on AV and got some good pics. It was raining so I was holding an umbrella and trying to hold my camera steady (that lens is HEAVY) so I got some blur, but overall I was pretty satisfied! Next question, I have a night game tonight...what is the best mode to shoot in? Best settings to start with? I understand I will have to adjust as I go probably. Thanks again for everyone’s advice!!

[ebiggs1]

Your setting won't change as the starting point. 

"My basic starting point is always Av mode, yes Av not Tv.  With your new lens set it to f4 and try f2.8, too. Av lets the camera choose the fastest SS it can to get proper exposure. Fix your ISO to 800 to start but be wiling the change it if needed.  Do not use Auto ISO.  I know many pro sports photographers are using Auto ISO more and more but you don't do it from the beginning,  Walk before you run!  Set WB to daylight but you will be shooting Raw so WB doesn't matter. Select and use just the center focus point. Turn the others off.  Now, the biggie, use One Shot do no use Ai-servo for now."

You may have to increase the ISO to 1600 so watch the exposure as you shoot. Not seeing your exact lighting no body can give you exact settings. You need to determine that at the game. Need more exposure increase the ISO and/or change the Av setting from f4 to f2.8. Get by with less decrease the ISO to 400, etc. Av is going to give you the fastest possible SS it can. At this point don't try any of the more advanced settings like Ai-servo or full manual.  Get some good shots first and see what works. Walk before you run!

Make sure you are using Raw format and you use DPP4 or some other great editor to do jpg conversion.  It is seamless just as simple as uploading to your computer. But far more of an editable photo. Raw maybe the single most important thing to remember and use. Lots of the time it can correct a grossly over or under exposed shot. Well worth it by all means.

[HawkMom6]

Ok 👍🏻 So really use AV and not TV mode? I’ve always used TV for night football pics...but that was with my old lens. And this DPP4 you are talking about, I can download that for free? I will give that a whirl too! Thanks!

[ebiggs1]

Yes DPP4 is free from Canon. It’s very good for a free post editor. Go to the Canon web page for your camera where you can d/l it.