In article <4j8smu$9pg@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, avatar911@aol.com says...

>I'm writing because I'm getting ready to buy a camera system. Probably
>just a body and 2 lenses (prob. zooms) and a flash system. Presently >I've got plenty of cash, but soon I'll be going to work as a
>missionary and won't have any! :-)
>I'd like to purchase something that'll last for a while and that'll >hold up to some less than pristine conditions. Any recommendations?
>I've looked mainly at Canons (Elan IIE, A2E, 1N) and Nikons (N70,N90s).
>Either the N90s or the EOS-1N seem to fit the bill but the're so *very*
>expensive. Would I be stupid to buy a used N90 or EOS-1 instead of the
>newer model?
>What about the Minolta 9xi?
>Also, what's the difference between the N90, N90s, F90, F90x and F90s?

If I were going into the wilds for a period of time, I would take
a Nikon F3 (or F2 - or, maybe, an FM-2n, though the shutter is more
easily accidentally damaged), plenty of lithium 3v. button cells)
and a few manual-focus Nikkors (like the 28mm f2.8 AIS and 85mm
f2 AI/AIS - which are good at all apertures, unlike most zooms -
which are also much slower to begin with [or 28, 50, 105; or
35 and 105, etc.]). Add Nikkor or Hoya UV filters and Nikkor
(so they fit without vignetting) shades to the lenses, an SB-17
compact TTL flash for the F3 (or a Vivitar 283 [and adapter shoe
for the F2] for the F2 or FM-2n [Auto, but no TTL]) for a durable, trouble-free, no-frills, top quality, easy-to-use system. Get a
small bag that will just fit the equipment you have (plus film),
and is comfortable to carry. Add a wrist-strap for the camera (or neck-strap, if having the camera bobbling about your neck or
slippable-from-the-shoulder makes sense to you ;-), Kodak lens
tissue and fluid, and an air-bulb (without brush) for cleaning.
The AF bodies are too battery-hungry (and should, BTW, use AA's,
not expensive-and-hard-to-find-in-the-wild large lithium's).
Simple, durable, easily maintained gear, with great lenses
is what I recommend. (And, N90=F90, replaced by N90s=F90x=F90s.)
Hope This Helps