Mountainsmith Aurora II Camera Lumbar Pack - 2007 BCS

In terms of quality, Mountainsmith definitely delivers. This lumbar pack is well made with quality zippers and materials. The waist strap and lumbar area is covered with wicking material to help keep you cool, and the waist straps can tuck in so they aren't in the way if you're using the included shoulder strap. The pack is lightweight and has two internal dividers that can be rearranged.

That being said, this pack was designed to hold "small to large DSLR." I don't see how you can get a large DSLR (i.e. Canon 50D or Nikon D300)inside this thing unless you don't use a lens. If you have a smaller DSLR (i.e. Canon Ti or Nikon D90), it would still be an extremely snug fit if you use a really small prime lens. Don't bother with a flash (unless its tiny). This pack would be better suited for a megazoom or even a small camcorder.

Strangely, my main pet peeve is that the side mesh pockets aren't large enough to hold a small water bottle. Most camera backpacks will have mesh pockets for water, and it doesn't make sense to me that a lumbar pack would lack this feature. In fact, the buckle for the shoulder strap actually sits inside the mesh pock, further making them useless IMO.

I really like Mountainsmith products, but for the money there are better functioning camera bags out there.

I checked out this bag and the Aurora AT which is slightly larger. I have a Canon 50d with a sm. zoom lens (5 in.) (18-200mm). If you place the camera sideways (taking out all dividers) it JUST fits! What's the point? The quality of the bag was nice and looks as if it would be comfortable to carry. The compartments for cards and such all look completely useless - it will hold 2 CF cards and a really thin cell phone. I fail to understand why the 2 lumbar bags they make are almost the same size and too small to carry basic equipment and the next bag up is the tour Fx which is more than twice as big and most of the space is "head" room! The bag starts at my shoulder blades!!! I don't want my equipment stacked on top of each other - I see why none of my local camera stores carry this company - I'm sticking with my Tamrac sling pac!

I have a Nikon D40 and it barely fits with the kit lens and SB-400 external flash in the main compartment. If you have a zoom lens, like the 18-200mm VR, I guess you could squeeze it in next to the camera, but you won't be able to carry an external flash then. The pack fits well enough around my waist and bobs a bit when hiking or walking due to the fact that the attachment point of the waist strap is closer to the mid-section of the bag rather than the very top of the bag like it should be (see my review on Youtube for further explanation). I can also fit in my lens pen, UV filter, extra battery, and have space for a few more small accessories. This bag was no cheapie, but considering the dearth of hip pack camera bag selection I had to take the plunge. I have the small version of this bag, there is a larger size. If I had a Nikon D80 or D50 I would definitely get the medium size version of this bag which has slightly larger dimensions.

I have a Canon Rebel XSi. You can adjust the space inside and so it can fit with a smaller lens mounted (fits with my 50mm mounted and could fit an external flash too). You could pull out the other velcro dividers, and adjust and fit in a little bit bigger of a lens. But not much room to pack in an entire other lens. (As other reviews show, probably the biggest down side). Great for putting on 1 of your favorite lenses and going for a hike. Good pocket space for extra filters and smaller accessories. Seems like great protection for the camera and am pleased with the purchase.

I've been a Mountainsmith fan for many years now, and when we purchased our new digital SLR a Mountainsmith pack was a top priority for us. We are pleased with the comfort of the pack (as we always are with Mountainsmith) but this pack would be nice in a larger size (not available). It fits our Canon 30D with one lens, but only just. That's the sacrifice necessary for the ability to use it as a lumbar pack. Larger cases are available, but not as a lumbar pack. We're very happy with the case - but it would be tough to use with an additional lens or very much other gear.

This is a nice pack but it is just too small. My husband's full size digital camera fits nicely but there is no place for his big lens so it hasn't been used yet. It would be nice if they could develop an addition that could be latched on for oversized lenses.