Canon 16x Lens II - Should I even bother?
 

I'm picky about lenses. I don't much like consumer-style 'focus rings', which is one of the main reasons I picked the XL1S over the DSR-PD170. Now, my budget isn't really high, so I can afford to either replace the viewfinder or the lens, and I'm thinking the lens. Should I buy the camera body only and then buy the 16x Manual lens and the assorted accessories seperate? Or should I save up more and buy it later?

It would probably be wiser to get the manual lens then indeed.
You can always get a good quality monitor to use on set if you
don't want to trust the viewfinder. The monitor will be cheaper
then the B&W viewfinder as well.

Keep in mind that you can get $500 back on your camera:

One of our site sponsors, ZGC has camera
packages available that include no lens or the manual lens for
you. So you are not wasting any money on a lens you will not
be using.

Check out this link for information on their standard packages.
They can also put one together for you if you give them a call or e-mail.

Keep the stock viewfinder, and pick up an external monitor.
Also, bear in mind, you can still find 14x manual lenses for the XL1(s), that are about $600 cheaper than the 16x manual, if you are on a tighter budget. They lack a few features of the 16x, but hey, $600 is $600...

One other thing, I do suggest you read the following to Articles
(written by our forum moderator Ken Tanaka) here on the site:

16x Manual Zoom Lens
CRT B&W Viewfinder

Both articles clearly explain how these components work and
what you can expect from them. Dylan's advice is good as well,
but do keep in mind that there are two major differences between
these two manual lenses:

1) the 14x has NO ND filters built in, 16x has two

2) the 16x has a digital iris control (using the iris wheel on the XL1). The 14x has a analog control (on the lens itself)

All this information is in the first artcle.

I would have picked out these most important elements of the 16x over the 14x:

THe 16x has a powered zoom, the 14x doesn't.

The 16x does not have a rotating front, like the 14x does.

Still, if you can pick up a used 14x for $800, versus a 16x for $1600 + tax, you'd save almost $1000, which you could spend on a 3x lens.
(or a weekend of b*#w and h@@&#(s in Vegas. :)