I bought a Cuddeback a couple months ago and taken about 700 pictures and still on the first set of 4 D-cell batteries and they are still on a 3 rating with 4 being a new battery. I do wish the flash would pick up a little farther though, the best I can tell about 20 feet is the max for getting a good pic at night. It has already paid for it self when you consider the cost of film and developing and the best thing is you don't have to wait 2 or 3 days to see what you have on film. I really like it, wish I had bought one a couple years ago.