I mean back in beta 3 we are able to setup our own group and enter instance without any kind of duty finder. Now I understand this made group finding easier but no reason why everything HAVE to be a duty.
You can still set up your own groups to enter the instance, just movement to the instance goes through the Duty Finder. You don't have to use the Duty Finder to form your own groups.
No you can't, even the NPC who used to just let you in the dungeon opens you into the DF menu, the same as if you would pick it from your menus. Before, even though DF was functional, you could completely bypass it. Even if you form a full party, it will need you to pass through the DF, which is annoying given that it's not presently working right.