Originally posted by mtroute alkalines are for wedding and vacation emergencies only. Go nickel metal hydride rechargables like
eneloops or
PowerEx. Most importantly, get a good recharger, the ones that come with the batteries at Target are crap and will actually shorten the life of the batteries. Something like the
LaCrosse or the
PowerEx MaHa (I have this one and it kicks's ass).
Also search "rechargeable batteries" on the forum there are like 3,132 threads discussing "the best ones"...
Another good charger that people like is the LaCrosse BC-9000 (you linked to the 700). The BC-900 and MH-C9000 are basically the kings of chargers. I have an MH-C9000 and it is great. A charger that will charge each cell independently is key.
WARNING: There are some cheap chargers (Wal-Mart sells one) that imply that they charge independently (one gauge per cell), but the gauges are all controlled from one charge channel (you'll never see them behave independently) - I've destroyed a few packs of NiMHs with that charger.
In terms of "weeks" of usage - if you're not using hybrid NiMHs, they are going to self-discharge reasonably fast even without use.
Alkalines work in a pinch but do horribly in high current discharge applications (cameras) due to high internal resistance.