another way is to start small and if you like the hobby, upgrade cables, pre-amps, recorders, etc. I prefer this way.
It's good advice. Learn to make good recordings on modest equipment, and then you can use that knowledge to make great recordings with upgraded gear. Yes, the best mics cost a fortune, but, IMO, you could get 85% of the performance for 10% of the price. Look for bang-for-the-buck rather than ultimate performance, and you can do quite well.
Though I don't own a set myself, the Busman mics would be a good start - I've grabbed a few shows off the LMA that were made with them, and they sound nice. AKG Perception 170s (which I have) are also a good starter mic, but not quite as versatile since they don't have interchangeable capsules for different patterns.
The most important part of the recording chain is the nut behind the controls.