Is there any real point in getting maker this late?

Not true, they're still required for some recipes (most 60+ for monster crystals).

I don't know how existing crystals will be affected, but in KMS right now, there are only 3 kinds (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced). There are no level tiers for the crystals; you can make a 110 equip and a 80 equip with the same Intermediate, for example.

Edit: Also I'm positive that Dark and Black Crystals are required for all Timeless/Reverse recipes.

Those are item crystals not monster crystals. Any graded gem becomes worthless as well.