Looking at keepers over four days compared with the 85L (99% in- and outdoor available light portraits/street photography), the 50L consistently lagged behind. // The lack of a floating element is well described, but a web poster added an interesting twist by saying that the real weakness of the 50L is that the minimum focusing distance of the 50L is in fact longer than what Canon claims. At least the *reliable* focusing distance is longer. // So for me - shooting mostly portraits - the 50L is too inconsistent. But for those steeping back for full length photos the 50L will often work much better.