Yet, there were enough people who did it on a shoestring, even going so far as to build their own projectors, which cost in those days sometimes a year's salary. All this once coveted equipment can now be had for moderate prices. Demand is increasing and so are prices, especially for wooden cameras. But prices are still lower than similar vintage photo cameras. Not so long ago one could pick up old movie equipment at flea-markets, but that time seems passed now.
Collectors are a breed apart.
Their hobby makes life enjoyable. They meet people who they otherwise would never have come into contact with. Do not know what boredom is. They need all their time to study, tinker with new acquisitions, or project old movies. They have an excellent excuse to make a trip to a fellow collector, or a fleamarket.