Tamrac Anvil Slim 15 Backpack for 15" Laptop, DSLRs or Mirrorless Cameras with Lenses

2025-02-03T13:27:41

To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the build quality of this backpack. I have an older Tamrac backpack that's much better quality. The zippers seem much cheaper and the overall materials don't seem as nice. I liked the set up of the newer bag with more areas for storage but I worry if this bag holds up.

STEVE M.

2018-05-06T08:31:44

Nice bag . Thought it would be a bit bigger . When I spoke to the girl online she said it would accommodate more than I thought ??. Laptop to tight of a fit .

BENNETT C.

2018-02-20T13:47:02

For several decades (mostly 35mm and 645 film) I've used either "over the shoulder" bags (Tamrac) or hardcases (Pelican). I still have some light-weight bags for easy carry and minimal physical protections, which work fine for a single body with a single lens and a few accessories. But for day-to-day use I can't beat the Anvil Slim 15. The laptop pocket easily accomodates my MacBook Air, and the bulky power pack fits in the bottom-back outer pocket of the Slim 15. When possible I operate tethered now for the larger display. I can easily fit my D850 with a zoom (24-200) along with a half-dozen other lenses (including a 400 mm tele). Plus a small mirrorless camera with lens. And my Speedlight, extension cord, remote shutter release, manuals, filters, spare batteries and two chargers. This bag will carry more equipment than you can comfortably carry all day--unless you've recently completed the Crucible or Airborne training, in which case you can go for days at a time. I recommend the waist strap if you are hiking rugged terrain, especially fording streams and creeks. For flat terrain you can leave the waist strap at home. I bought the 4.75" bag to minimize "free" space and try to keep the bag footprint in line with other backpacks. Short lenses fit easily upright (24mm to 100mm); long primes and zooms will eat up the lion's share of space. There are plenty of partitions provided (although I could use more) to accommodate an almost infinite range of cameras, glass and accessories. If you load the bag up and plan to carry one or more DSLR with a battery grip (or a film camera with power winders) think about getting the 6" bag to allow for the taller camera body. Wish list: extra hook-n-loop partitions, pockets on the left and right side for filters or a water bottle instead of the spandex loops, extra pulls for the zippers (I know I'm going to wear them out), a card pouch for ID, a dedicated pair of tripod carrying straps on the bottom. A note about the tripod carry: you can carry a light tripod using loops on the back and the bottom pocket (where I carry the laptop power supply), but I have an industrial strength Bogen tilt-n-pan that really needs a dedicated provision to carry it. Speaking of the bottom of the bag: it sits flat and stable on the floor, despite being a bit top heavy with a camera and long lens.

Douglas M.

2016-08-15T05:56:39

I am a film user. This backpack holds two camera bodies (Nikon FM2n & Nikon F3), six lenses, lens hoods, flash, plus all their related accessories (there is even some space left over). The pack is fully adjustable to my upper body shape and is comfortable to wear for lengthy periods of time. Fully loaded, the pack weighs 15.5 lbs. The weight is distributed evenly on my hips and the tops of my shoulders. Importantly, the size of the pack more than meets airline carryon size requirements. My only gripe (and this is a minor gripe) is that the ventilation between my back and the pack could be improved. Overall, this is a high quality backpack which deserves serious consideration. I highly recommend it.

Howard C.

2016-07-18T18:53:59

I was looking for a backpack that can accommodate Nikon D7200 with attached Nikon 200-500 lens (hood on, not retracted). I’m regularly hiking (one day hike) in areas where the rain is coming and going and you need your camera prepared as much as possible for opportunistic shooting or, even more important – to hide it in the backpack because of the sudden rain. After comparing different backpacks (most of them too small, few others just overkill) I choose Tamrac Anvil Slim 15. My only concern was the dept of the backpack due to the tripod collar of the lens and probability that it wouldn’t accept some additional stuff – like water bottle (there is no side pocket for water bottle but more on this later), repellent, and rain coat and so on in the front pocket. The Anvil Slim 15 fulfill all my needs: my combo fits perfectly in the main compartment. The tripod collar as expected is slightly over the dept of the compartment but it is no problem because I don’t hike with a laptop in the front pocket. There is plenty of room there for few additional lenses (I keep there only Metz 52 AF-1 speed light but it will take easily my Micro-Nikkor 105mm VR lens plus some smaller too). The main front pocket itself took half a liter water bottle, repellent, rain coat and some snacks. On the front of the backpack is located one more, smaller pocket where I put the all-weather cover that is coming with the backpack. And there is plenty of smaller pockets – internal and external for batteries, filters and other small stuff. The backpack is well made, comfortable (after one day hike, without the removable belt), well padded, reasonably light-weight and well adjustable. What I didn’t like: the all-weather cover is not integrated as it is in the many other backpacks, there is no side pocket for a water bottle and worst – the two optional side attachments for water bottle are not available at the moment at Adorama, B&H or even the Tamrac’s own web site. If you attach a tripod on the designated place it will eliminate the easy access to the main compartment but anyway I hike with a tripod on separate strap. For my needs, I think these cons are not significant and are way behind the pros: Highly recommended!

ILKO S.