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" Personally, I go out of my way to avoid carrying anything that might be interpreted as a purchase intended to make me appear overtly cool, trendy, or "me-too-ish." When it comes to photography gear, I prefer to let my camera do the "talking" rather than what I stuff it into between points A and B. "
That's cool for you! As long as you recognize for a large number of people that isn't the case and you don't make value judgments about people for having different priorities, that's what matters. Some people like to look good and take pictures using a good camera bag and are willing to pay a premium on that. For some people that isn't a priority and aren't willing to make that monetary investment, in the same way that some people would say that using ThinkTank and Lowepro backpacks are bullshit and that you just need a 40 dollars beater bag and some socks.
" I know you're trying to make a point here "
I'd recommend reading what I said, then. I'll bold it: " That's cool for you! As long as you recognize for a large number of people that isn't the case and you don't make value judgments about people for having different priorities, that's what matters. Some people like to look good and take pictures using a good camera bag and are willing to pay a premium on that. For some people that isn't a priority and aren't willing to make that monetary investment"
" I mean, do you know these people, or do you just imagine that to be the case, and feel an obligation to speak of them? "
Sure, I know plenty of people who like different aesthetic camera bags in my local photography community! Some of my friends like Peak Design stuff (A good friend of mine also has the EDS, and her husband has the EDM), another friend of mine just picked up the WANDRD PRVKE 21L. My best friend really loves her Miller Series f-stop bags which have been discontinued, and swears by her Brooklyn Sling. And my friend who is a hiker doesn't much care about aesthetics very much and loves his LowePro Protactic 450 AW, but still uses the Tenba DNA Messenger because he thinks it looks cool when he comes into the city. The idea that people care about the aesthetic look they give off isn't really that weird, I don't think. I mean, Massdrop has a Men's Apparel AND Men's Accessories Community. They sell bags on the latter, so clearly, how people carry their EDC matters to them.
And when you write "some people would say" ThinkTank and and Lowepro bags are bullshit, could you point these people out to me?
Sure http://alexfr.net/socks-as-lens-covers/ https://www.lomography.com/magazine/224242-oh-my-socks-i-have-to-save-those https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-150936.html https://www.slrlounge.com/dont-limited-camera-bag-shelf-turn-bag-camera-bag/ https://gizmodo.com/the-best-camera-bag-is-one-you-put-together-yourself-732849806 " The other option is to protect your camera and lenses with an insert or wrap that you can just throw into the bag of your choice along with the rest of your stuff. A bag insert, such as those from Tenba or Timbuk2, will allow you to bundle up your lens and body together as a bag within a bag. If you want something minimal, you can find a bunch of similar-looking soft wraps that can go around your camera; you can put your lenses in individual lens cases. Or just wrap them in a sock. That’s what I tend to do, because I’m a lazy and horrible person. " (https://thewirecutter.com/blog/daypack-camera-compartment-laptop-sleeve/)
The debate over the value of camera bags (vs socks, vs camera inserts) is eternal. Just because it's not in your wheelhouse or lived experience doesn't mean it isn't true, and it doesn't mean I'm signing into alternate accounts to have some sort of fight about frankly unimportant stuff on a group buy website. " Lets just try to keep it one-on-one, yes? " We have been. Let's try to get an attitude adjustment and respectfully disagree, yes?
I have a sense that there exists 3 essential buckets that all successful products can fall into:
1. Quality and Materials 2. Form and Function 3. Brand and Marketing
Some can only lay claim to 1 or 2 buckets and that is impressive but to master all 3..... well that's Peak Design.
That is only my opinion and we respect everyone's opinion here, just keep it relative.
I do agree that I think that PD manages 1 and 2 well, and whoever runs their marketing division also is really talented, especially since the first release of the Capture V1.
Do I think PD's bags are perfect? I think if you look at my comments on this drop it's clear I don't. I do think that they're innovators who are working to make the best products they know how to at a reasonable price point (otherwise, IMO, they'd be Made in America or Europe), and I think they've gotten a few things wrong, but overall, they're among the best bags out there for camera users who aren't looking to carry a pro-load of something like 2 bodies and 5 or 6 lenses.