First off, I've been using 2100 MAH Ni-MH batteries in my SB28 (remember those??) and I'd say they last about 3x as long as alkalines.

Second, check this out: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=164265&is=REG It looks like the same thing as the Nikon SD-8A that I use. With the Nikon, you keep the four AA's in the flash, this holds six more and it plugs into the front. That way you're using a total of 10 AA's with it. Advantage over a Quantum is that it's cheaper, lighter and fits in your pocket. Plus you can rotate the NIMH batteries to something else when not using this pack.

After shooting 300+ frames with this and ISO400 film at f5.6, I still had instant recycling at the end of the night - as in no recycle time.