Ultraviolet & Infrared Flash Equipment for Sale

Shane Elen

If you didn't arrive here through BeyondVisible then you may wish to visit for technical information on ultraviolet, infrared and luminescence photography.
These flashes can be used for infrared and ultraviolet photography with both film and digital cameras. The PC sync voltage is around 10V on the Sunpak 622, Nikon SB-14 and (my) Vivitar 285HV and is safe for many digital cameras such as the Nikon D70, D40, D200, Kodak DCS 760, DCS 720x, Fuji S3 Pro UVIR, IS Pro UVIR and the Sigma SD10 - for other models, check your owners manual.

After fruitless searches for UV and IR flash equipment that was either no longer available, or never existed to begin with, I found it necessary to modify or build my own. The modified versions include the Nikon SB-14 (Nikon SB-140 clone), Nikon SB-800, Sunpak 622 and Vivitar 285HV. In addition to ultraviolet and infrared equipment originally available, I developed some custom options that were never available from the manufacturer.

Here today - gone tomorrow
It is time to fund another expensive lens so I am selling my spare UV and IR flash equipment, subject to very limited availability. It may also be possible for me to modify your flash if I have the materials available.

Ultraviolet Modified Nikon SB-14

Nikon SB-14
(Unmodified)
Nikon SB-14 UV-E Enhanced Ultraviolet
Nikon SB-14 UV-E
Enhanced Ultraviolet
(Nikon SB-140 clone)
Nikon SB-14 UV-ED Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet
Nikon SB-14 UV-ED
Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet

Former Auction Sales of the Genuine Nikon SB-140
Over the last few years several genuine Nikon SB-140 flashes have come up for auction.

Nikon SB-140 (boxed) + SD-7 Nov 2005 (well used) $2229
Nikon SB-140 (NIB) + SD-7 (NIB) 2008 July 2008 (unused) $3500 (sold privately after auction for undisclosed amount)
Nikon SB-140 (boxed) Sept 2008 (used) $1601
Nikon SB-140 (boxed) + SD-7 (boxed) Jan 2009 (used) (#320335133034) $1751
Nikon SB-140 (boxed) + SD-7 Jun 2009 (used/LN) (#200348754156) $2750

The alternate is my modified SB-14UV-E.

Nikon SB-14 UV-E (UV Enhanced, SB-140 clone) & SW-5UV/IR/V/Diffuser clone adapter set (2 available)
(also includes SD-7 battery pack, SC-16 power cord and SU-2 sensor) This flash functions similarly to the Nikon SB-140 UVIR Speedlight flash. The coating has been removed from the Xenon flashlamp to increase UV output and can be used for ultraviolet, infrared and visible photography when fitted with the appropriate flash filter. I have two available, one is LN in the box, and the other LN-/Ex+ condition.

Nikon SC-12 $5
1 meter long cable enabling TTL flash of SB-11, SB-14 or SB-140 with F3 series bodies.

Nikon SC-14 $10
1 meter TTL flash sync cord for F3 series bodies and flashes, SB-16A and SB-21A.

Ultraviolet & Infrared Flash Adapters for the Nikon SB-14 & Nikon SB-140

Nikon SW-5UV clone
Nikon SW-5UV (sold Nov 2006 Ebay $632)

Nikon SW-5UV - $500
This is an original Nikon SW-5UV UV flash adapter for ultraviolet photography using the Nikon SB-140, UV Enhanced SB-14 or unmodified SB-14. Looks just like the one shown in the photo (above right) that sold on ebay in 2006 for $632.

Nikon SW-5UV clone - (included with SB-14UV-E)
(adapter surround & UV filter included) - for ultraviolet photography using the Nikon SB-140, UV Enhanced SB-14 or unmodified SB-14
The SW-5UV clone is made by fitting UV glass (of similar spectral properties and thickness as the Nikon SW-5UV filter) into a Nikon SW-5 surround. This is a custom shaped filter for a perfect fit into the adapter and exhibits a similar appearance and function to the original Nikon SW-5UV, except that it is not fitted with a safety cord like the original.

Nikon SW-5UV, SW-5IR, SW-5V and SW-5 clone set - $415
A set of interchangeable filters for the Nikon SW-5 adapter, to be used with the Nikon SB-14 UV-E.
One flash adapter with interchangeable filters for ultraviolet, infrared, visible or diffused lighting.

Ultraviolet & Infrared Modified Vivitar 285 & 285HV

Vivitar 285HV Dedicated Ultraviolet
Vivitar 285HV Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet 285HV UV-ED

Vivitar 285HV Dedicated Infrared 285HV IR-D

Vivitar 285HV
You can still obtain this small flash new from B&H for a reasonable price and it can be modified for UV or IR. It is small and convenient to carry and, despite being the least powerful flash listed on this page, it is still adequate for ultraviolet in many situations.

DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 285/285HV adapter

DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 283 adapter

DIY Vivitar 285/285HV* or 283** UV or IR adapter filters: UV-$145, IR-$115
(Vivitar adapter surround NOT included)
The ultraviolet filter is of similar spectral properties and thickness as the Nikon SW-5UV and can be fitted inside the Vivitar wide angle adapter. Fitting the filter may require very minor but easy modification of the adapter. The UV glass should be permanently mounted in the adapter using epoxy and black RTV silicone to make it light tight. Due to the tightness of the adapter on the Vivitar 285/285HV head the adapter it should be considered a permanent attachment.
The infrared filter is of similar spectral properties and thickness as the Nikon SW-5IR and can be fitted inside the Vivitar wide angle adapter. Fitting the filter may require very minor but easy modification of the adapter.

*Note - the UV and IR filters for the Vivitar 285/285HV are positioned permanently in the regular filter slot. However, due to the transmission properties of the Fresnel zoom lens it must be removed for UV application. In some cases it is also neccessary to remove the Fresnel lens for the IR application due to dimensional issues.

**Note - the UV and IR filters for the Vivitar 283 are not positioned in the regular filter slot due to size restrictions but are placed deeper into the filter holder at the base of the funnel section (see Vivitar 283 UV adapter image above).

Nikon Infrared and Ultraviolet Flash Adapters

Nikon IR flash adapter $125 (fits SB-800 , SB-600 , SB-50DX , SB-80DX , SB-24)
(IR adapter surround & IR filter included)
This IR (740nm) flash adapter exhibits similar spectral properties to the Nikon SW-5IR filter. The flash can still be used for normal visible light photography, as the adapter is easily removed.

Nikon SB-24 UV flash adapter $175
(UV adapter surround & UV filter included)
This UV flash adapter exhibits similar spectral properties to the Nikon SW-5UV filter. The flash requires simple modification for use as a UV flash.

Canon Infrared Flash Adapters

Canon IR flash adapter $125 (fits 580EXII , 580EX , 550EX , 430EX , 380EX)
(IR adapter surround & IR filter included)
This IR (740nm) flash adapter exhibits similar spectral properties to the Nikon SW-5IR filter. The flash can still be used for normal visible light photography, as the adapter is easily removed.

Infrared Sunpak 622 Flash Heads

Sunpak Auto 622 Pro System flash shown fitted with IH-1 Infrared Flash Head (obsolete).
Custom IH-1Z Digital Infrared Sunpak 622 Flash Head fitted with IR filter (740nm longpass)
Custom IH-1Z, Sunpak 622 Zoom Flash Head fitted with IR flash filter (740nm longpass)

IH-1Z Sunpak 622 Infrared Zoom Flash Head - suitable for IR modified digital cameras and IR film - $225 (NIB)
Most powerful IR flash listed on this webpage. This removable zoom flash head has been retro-fitted with an internal IR filter (740nm) and is adjustable (zoom function) for 28mm, 35mm and 135mm lenses. When fitted to your Sunpak 622, available from B&H or Adorama for $200, this provides an IR flash system for a total of $425.

IH-1 Sunpak 622 Infrared Flash Head - OEM IR flash head - obsolete
This removable infrared flash head, no longer available from Sunpak, is fitted with an IR filter (800nm) which was designed for HIE IR film. This head is only really suitable for use with IR film or an 800nm IR modified digital camera. Although obsolete, a 700nm pass version can be made by using the Sunpak 622 custom flash filter listed below, or by using the IH-1Z IR (740nm) zoom head (a more powerful option).

Sunpak 622 IR flash filter - customized for IR modified digital cameras - $25
Use this filter to convert your Sunpak 622 SH-1 standard head into an IR flash head customized for IR modified digital cameras (as illustrated above). The IR filter (700nm) transmits more infrared than the original Sunpak IH-1 (800nm) which was designed for IR film, and of course thie custom head can still be used for IR film.

Kodak DCS 769 and DCS 660

Anti-aliasing AA filter for Kodak DCS 760 and 660 (LNIB) $175
A neccessity for dealing with moire issues on the DCS760 or DCS660 Kodak.

Contact Me

Contact Author for Payment & Shipping Info
Avoiding my Spam Filter: The author can be contacted at shane(AT)beyondvisible(DOT)com AND the email subject MUST contain at least one of the following words: UV, IR, ultraviolet or infrared, otherwise it will end up in the spam folder to be deleted.

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