As long as you have the little servo motor engaged on the zoom it should at least handle zooming functions. Obviously no focus features would work as the manual lens doesn't support this. The other functions are not lens specific so they should all work. I can't confirm this but it seems logical.

(Just to clarify the manual 16x lens has a manual and servo zoom function that you can engage/disengage as you need it. This allows you to do quick zooms in and out via hand or set it to allow the XL2 rocker to control zoom. But it can't do both simultaneously)

thanks guys, just to clarify though..if I got the manual 16x I could control the zoom via lanc at the same time as changing focus via the lens barrel as and when I wished?

Yes, on the black 16x manual lens, you can zoom remotely via LANC controller while changing focus manually by hand. If you want to do it all from the tripod pan handles, then you could get fancy and also control focus remotely with a separate mechanical focus controller, about $500 from VariZoom.

that's cool, might as well work in a TV studio again! nice idea, but just slightly too pricey for me at the minute though. would be great to control it all from the pan handles - would need a bigger and better LCD screen than the XL2's little thing! what's the best ext monitor for this cam in your opinion as the included one is ok for composition but pretty poor for focus? I do find it easier to focus with the screen though rather than the eyepiece magnifier, what do you all prefer, or have you all gone for the b&w 'proper' VF? (should I start a new thread somewhere else?)

Yes that is a new topic... but please don't start a new one as there are scores of existing threads here about LCD monitors for the XL series camcorders. Please search through those discussions first. Thanks,