Which back-up camera among Nikons?

I would suggest that your back-up camera be the same as the one you already have and are familiar with. As to your flash requirements, you might want to consider one of the Sunpack or Vivitar automatic units with a bounce head and a GN about 120; they are cheap and easy to use.

If you really want a backup body that has some automation, is rock solid and will last almost forever-get a used F3. They are available from $300 up. They have a solid record of performance and are still being made should you discover you like them and want to get a new one.

The manual Nikons with aperture priority, shutter priority and TTL flash are FG,FE2,FA and F3. The FG has the advantage of being small, light and cheap(used of course) but lacks DOF, a PC and is limited to 1/1000. The FA and FE2 are the same with 1/4000 max shutter spd and 1/250 flash sync, except that the FA has matrix metering. All three cameras have an electronic shutter and matching motordrives. Other cheap alternatives are the EM and FG20 (sister cameras to the FG) - it doesn't have TTL and (aperture priority only for EM). Hope this helps.

I use an N8008s as a spare camera to my F4s when I need to take one along, but it is usually has faster slide film (ASA 200)in it. It can be used in the manual mode as well as in the program modes (AP), and it is very tough and lightweight. Multiple exposures are no problem, and both cameras have very good spot meters, and use AA batteries. As for as a flash, I can't help you there, I don't use flash, just natural light, but the SB-27, and SB-28 are the two newest units from Nikon, and they should work fine on a 6006. Good luck.

Sorry - I made a mistake in my previous post. The FG and FE2 do not have shutter priority - only the FA has this function.

Thank you so much for all the helpful information. Of those cameras mentioned, which do multiple exp. and which are lightweight? I can't lug around an 8008, for instance. I am a small person, and I have found that carrying anything as heavy as or heavier than the 6006 makes outdoor, backpacking photography more painful than fun. I need a light, compact body for this kind of thing, and prefer MF for that. Also thanks for flash suggestions, any other goof-proof flash advice or recommendations? Thanks

One other suggestion is the FE. I bought the one I have for $150 used. It is lightweight, has aperture priority autoexposure and does multiple exposures. Probably not as rugged as the F3 but a lot cheaper. I use mine mostly for B&W film. The metering is good but is outclassed by the more modern systems (like the N70 which is my primary camera).

If you can afford it, I go along with the suggestion of an F3 - the body is solid (and without the motor drive reasonably small & light) - it can do all you want - you can add a motor drive if needed - change focusing screens, etc......

If what you want is a backup body then I suggest you get the exact same body that you currently have. This reduces the confusion when you switch to the other body.

However, many people say they want a backup body when what the mean is they want a body to compliment their primary body. For example, if your primary body does not have mirror lockup you may want a body that has mirror lockup for the times you need that feature. In that case get whatever body offers you additional features you need.