But that would have been in the days before we could afford cameras.
Seriously, my first 35 mm camera was a simple point and click Boots Birette circa 1967 with a separate light meter at a cost of £7. My next was an Asahi Pentax SLR at £120 in 1970 and that bought in Singapore. We just did not get the dosh to afford non-essential consumer items. You even needed a Singapore Det to buy a decent watch - £10 down Change Alley.