Similar to Martin, when the halcyon days (with multiple “legit” film distributors, projector manufacturers, etc.) of Super 8 were coming to an end in the early 1980s, I thought that was it. I kept all my films, but my priorities turned to entering graduate school and starting my career. I, too, didn’t know about Derann, but it didn’t matter — you could say that after being knee-deep in the hobby in the 1970s, I was a little burned out with it and needed to focus on other, more important things.
Fast forward to the 1990s and my interest in the hobby was rekindled. Actually, I’m glad I took a break from it as I now take a more mature approach to the hobby as I clearly see it for what it is — a hobby. Unfortunately, for some collectors it’s all-consuming.
I actually enjoy the hobby much more now with everything available to us today, and I think there’s not been a better time to be in our “screening” hobby. I don’t live in the nostalgia for the past, and I would encourage all collectors to do the same. 🙂