In article <19970101070701.CAA04713@ladder01.news.aol.com>, jarnold975@aol.com says...
>In article <5acco9$or5@nntp5.u.washington.edu>, CVD
><"cvd"@[128.95.53.185]> writes:

>>I believe there is more metal parts in n90s, and you have to pay more
>>for durability/ruggedness. Anybody ever try to do drop test between n90s
>>and eos a2e? i bet n90s will win.

>I will let you do the drop test with your Cameras, I don't need to do
>that to gain assurance on durability. At any rate the N90S is NOT roughly
>equivalent to the A2e, more likely the EOS-1. The A2e is not built as a
>professional workhorse as the EOS-1 (and 1n, 1n RS) and N90S.

Hmmm, that would seem to make the N90s a relative bargain....;-)

>>And for more ruggedness (if you're tough on equipment like me), you can
>>still use all the *metal* manual nikkor lenses with the current body.
>>Another thing, the current nikon flash system (3d) is the best.
>>if you consider these, nikon IS CHEAPER and more make sense.

>1) Why would someone want to use an old metal manual lens on their new AF
>camera unless their AF lenses are in the shop.

I guess you haven't tried them? ;-) Some of us prefer the smoother
operation and better feel of manual lenses - and also prefer to use manual-focus. Having both the AF and MF lens lines available for
use also expands the lens choice for type and price (there is access
to virtually the entire huge Nikon lens line, running back decades).

>2) How (with specific verifiable examples) is the Nikon flash system
>superior to the equivalent Canon Camera (N90s v. EOS-1n)

I assume that the EOS system offers selectable TTL fill-ratios now?
Otherwise, there may be little difference. Though try shooting
uncompensated flash close-ups of a black horse and of a bride in a
white dress with both systems, and then tell me which flash exposures
were better...;-)

>I asked a salesman today about how well Canon and Nikon cameras sold
>during the pre-Christmas season. He said that Canon sales were far
>ahead of Nikon.

I assume that these were mid/low-end sales?
His observation may support the notion that advertising sells,
rather than that one system is better than the other...;-)
Hope This Helps