I was experimenting on my XL1 the other day, shooting reflection of the sun on the surface of a pond. Using the ND filter, and very fast shutter speed. After that shot, I was experimenting some more, and I noticed that when I tried moving the iris, The zebras were not going away. I tried closing the iris all the way, and it said 'close' on the screen but I still see a clear image.
Seems somehow the iris got stuck around F 5.6 or somewhere around there.
I have to send my xl1s to canon, see what's up with it.
I don't think I did anything too extreme there at the park, but has anyone else experienced anything like this? Maybe the image was too bright? Any info?
Thanks
Takeshi

Hi
I have the same problem my iris motor is not working.I got my camera 4 years and I do alot of nature shooting which includes a lot of hot reflections. I woud like to know what Canon has to say about your problem. I been shooting video for close to 40 years here in Canada and the xl1 is just the greatest. thank you Doug

A dumb thought -- make sure you weren't in the "Green Box" (easy recording) mode.

Found out there is a problem with the iris. We tried on an other lens, and the iris worked fine. Usually, when you take off the lens, it automatically closes the iris, says the tech guy. Mine was probably mechanically stuck or something. THey will get it changed. All covered.
The repair will take about 2 weeks, but I negotiated a spair lens since I needed to shoot. I kept my fingers crossed, maybe I can get to borrow one of those new manual lens... Turned out to be a old XL1 lens. Oh well, at least I got something to shoot wiht/.

Takeshi Fukushima