Lots of different tube styles. Prices vary, but some retail sources make a killing on vacuum tubes, mostly to the audio crowd. If you serious about tube collecting you need a tester. Here’s a photo of mine. I have three devices that use tubes. I’m not a big tube roller, but like to have plenty of stock on hand in case they become harder to get. I use mostly octal (8-pin) and noval (9-pin) vacuum tubes. The tester is a TV-7 A/U circa 1955.
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this thing looks so cool - want to print a picure of it and hang it on my wall in the office
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Amps and Sound Kenzie Encore with Octal output 1626 tubes and novel input tube (probably a 12AT7). Kenzie and Kenzie Encore use interchangeable tubes, and you can switch between octal (factory) and novel using adapers. I bought the Kenzie well after I bought the Encore. Tube interchangeability is a huge benefit.
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You can still find these floating around to buy. If you were to buy one, I’d suggest looking for a TV-7 D/U. It’s much more stable dealing with novels like 6DJ8 family tubes (which I use in my tube buffer). My brother rebuilt this particular tube tester from parts and a couple of TV-7 A/U he had. He had to add some beads to deal with oscillation on performance novels. He also has a TV-7 D/U. My tester is remarkably accurate. I have bought a few tubes from folks with TV-7 stated listings and we are usually very close on readings. Here’s a couple more photos.
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I love the fact this old tech is still used by people and you guys get your hands on parts, etc…
the second picture is very good - you don´t mind if I use it for a small print?
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Help yourself. This one is kind of a dinged up bucket. But it works good.
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thank you, I have send it to a friend, who is like me into analog photography and he will print it for me
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Parts for these are semi-difficult to find. If you need a meter it will cost a bit. My brother likely bought these testers in the 1980s / 1990s when tubes were being flushed from use. They’ve enjoyed a bit of a renaissance.
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ah I see! so in the 1980/90´s - would have expected this period
haha yes they do have a renaissance, what is wonderful to see!
same for analog photography in the last years
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I used to have a standard Canon AE-1 with a basic 50 mm and a small zoom lens. I ended up selling it when I needed some cash back in the 1980s. I’ve only owned digital cameras since. They do a good job, but I have to think the best photos are taken with analog lens setups.
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I have an AE-1 with the 50 f2.8 at my friend place, cause he collects(and uses) them all
like Toyo large format, Hasselblad, Nikon, Olympus … you name it
have an old Praktika from the first 50 pieces produced in the 1950s at home - was the camera of my wife´s grandfather and it still works perfectly fine
for most people digital makes more sense
I use both, though prefer the analog way
we do all by ourselfes, in his photo laboratory, at his home … with some big enlargers, a gigantic pro scanner from the 90s … makes super fun 
there are still some analog films in development, which rock
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Nice. Wished it really looked that good.
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I am going to get my hands on at the weekend
a bit of patina is nothing bad
imagine where all the tested tubes been used all over the world
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I think these would look fantastic as a ‘negative’ like in the video. Kind of like an x-ray.
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nice idea … I thought about a high contrast black/white for a moment and wanted to keep it “real”
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I’d love to see that. I may even order one from you. 
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I am not allowed to earn cash or so with it and I´d never would want to.
Not sure about all copyright topics in the us.
Though Robert took this picture and allowed me to print it for myself. To be correct, I am (even) not allowed to show it in public, now.
I don’t speak about commercial use- this is a 100% not allowed…
While I changed the picture in Ratio… it is a change, I’d have ask him for permission… someone correct me if I am wrong
I did imply, this would be ok for him…
So I fear without his permission, I won’t show it here.
Would love to! Want and have to respect Robert’s ownership.
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This picture reminded me the time machine they’re using in Dark.
Jokes aside, could you actually mess a tube up with such tester? I mean, RTFM style?
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