Equipment Store

Mountainsmith Aurora II Camera Lumbar Pack

Mountainsmith Aurora II Camera Lumbar Pack description

Photographers who hike need a bag that's comfortable to carry, protects all their gear, and keeps everything easily accessible. The Mountainsmith Aurora II Camera Lumbar Pack takes top honors in all categories. The beauty of having your camera gear in a lumbar pack is that it can be carried securely behind you instead of swinging around on a shoulder strap. When it's time to pull your camera out, just rotate the Aurora to the front and get everything ready to go without squatting on the ground or stressing about dropping your bag. The Aurora II has a zippered top and a quick-release buckle to secure your equipment, along with an organizer pocket under the lid for smaller items like extra film. Nestled in-between adjustable, padded dividers, your camera and lenses will be safe, secure, and ready to shoot at a moment's notice.

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.

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'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.