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. I have some excess modified, or custom UV and IR flash equipment for sale, subject to very limited availability. It may also be possible for me to modify your flash if I have the materials available.

Coming soon - a flash shootout comparing the different options.

The Sunpak 622 with a NEW UH-1Z Ultraviolet Zoom head is the most powerful flash listed here and the flash body is also still available new.

Ultraviolet Modified Nikon SB-14

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

Modify your SB-14: UV Enhanced $245, UV Dedicated $370
Last year the top end auction price for a used (unmodified) SB-14 (above aver.cond.) was typically $200, however the demand has risen dramatically in the last 6 months as can be seen by their recent auction prices, 02/04/08 $250 (less than aver.cond.), 03/16/08 $291 (less than aver.cond.) and 03/27/08 $407 (aver.cond.). Once the main stay for wedding photographers, I can only assume this recent increase in demand is due to their popularity for ultraviolet photography. If you own one, I can modify it. The modification cost may seem a little high but there is always a risk of damaging the flash during modification. So considering what it might cost for me to replace it, I feel the cost is fair.

Nikon SB-14 UV-E (SB-140 clone) Enhanced Ultraviolet
(includes SD-7 battery pack, SC-16, SK-5 bracket, 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.

Nikon SB-14 UV-ED Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet $595
(includes SD-7 battery pack, SC-16, SU-2 sensor)
This flash is permanently modified for ultraviolet photography. The coating has been removed from the Xenon flashlamp to increase UV output and the plastic diffuser window has been removed and replaced with ultraviolet glass to permit increased UV output.

Nikon SC-12 $8

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

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

Nikon SW-5UV clone - $245
(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.

UV Filter for DIY SW-5UV clone (SW-5 adapter required) $175

IR Filter for DIY SW-5IR clone (SW-5 adapter required) - $115

Ultraviolet & Infrared Nikon SB-800

Nikon SB-800UV-ED Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet Flash - $545 (Used/exc.cond.)
Due to the design of this flash it is dedicated for macro UV work only and should be used in manual mode only.
This UV flash is a little more powerful than the UV modified Vivitar 285HV.

Nikon SB-800 IR flash adapter $125 (New)
(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.

Ultraviolet & Infrared Canon 580EXII

Canon 580EXII IR flash adapter $125 (New)
(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.

Ultraviolet & Infrared Sunpak 622 Flash Heads

Sunpak Auto 622 Pro System flash shown fitted with IH-1D Infrared Flash Head
Sunpak Auto 622 Pro System flash shown fitted with IH-1D Customized Infrared Flash Head. Can also be fitted with the UH-1Z Ultraviolet Zoom Head (not shown)

Sunpak 622 Super Pro Flash
This flash has some distinct advantages for ultraviolet and infrared photography.
  • Removable flash heads - probably its best feature.
  • Can be used for UV, IR, zoom, standard, wide angle, diffuse, ring, or bare bulb, simply by swapping the flash head.
  • UV or IR modified zoom heads still retain their zoom function.
  • Flash is still available new from B&H or Adorama.
  • The flash body warranty is unaffected for UV or IR modification, as only the flash head is modified.
  • The most powerful UV or IR flash listed on this page.
  • Requires only 4 AA batteries.
  • Handle mounted battery pack (as shown in the image above).
  • Low sync voltage around 10V. (I have used it on my Nikon D70, D40, D200 and Fuji S3 UVIR).
Its only downside is its size but what do you expect for the most powerful, versatile, UV, IR, zoom, standard, diffuse or bare bulb capable flash.

UH-1Z Sunpak 622 Ultraviolet Zoom Flash Head - $345 (New In Box)
This removable zoom flash head has been ultraviolet enhanced and retro-fitted with UV glass of similar spectral properties as the Nikon SW-5UV. It has three zoom settings 28mm, 35mm and 135mm. When fitted to your Sunpak 622, available from B&H or Adorama for $200, this provides a brand new UV flash system for a total of $545.

IH-1D Digital Infrared Sunpak 622 Flash Head
IH-1D Customized Infrared Sunpak 622 Flash Head

IH-1D Sunpak 622 Customized Infrared Flash Head - customized for IR modified digital cameras - $125 (New In Box 2 left)
This removable infrared flash head is customized for IR modified digital cameras. It is fitted with an IR filter (700nm) and transmits more infrared than the original Sunpak IH-1 (800nm) which was designed for IR film. Other than the label, it appears identical to the original IH-1 and of course it can still be used for IR film.

IH-1Z Sunpak 622 Infrared Zoom Flash Head - suitable for IR modified digital cameras and IR film - $225 (New In Box)
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.

Ultraviolet & Infrared Modified Vivitar 285 & 285HV

Vivitar 285HV Dedicated Ultraviolet
Vivitar 285HV Enhanced/Dedicated Ultraviolet 285HV UV-ED
Vivitar 285HV Dedicated Infrared
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. I can supply the neccessary filter material for a DIY application or you can send the flash to me for modification. 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.

Modify your Vivitar 285/285HV: Ultraviolet $225 or Infrared $125


DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 285/285HV adapter
DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 285/285HV adapter
 DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 283 adapter
DIY UV or IR filter fitted to the Vivitar 283 adapter

UV Filter for DIY Vivitar 285/285HV or 283 adapter $145
(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.

*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.

IR Filter for DIY Vivitar 285/285HV or 283 adapter $115
(Vivitar adapter surround NOT included)
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. The IR filter can be made removable for the 285/285HV adapter.

**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).

Miscellaneous Accessories for Ultraviolet & Infrared Photography

Nikon AF-1 Gel Filter Holder
In combination with one of the step down adapters listed below this is the ideal filter holder for UV and IR photography. The front portion of the holder can be folded down to allow visible light focusing. The AF-1 has a 52mm rear lens thread and 60mm front filter thread (a sad Nikon joke).

60mm to 48mm stepdown adapter (NIB)
Ideal for use with the Nikon AF-1 filter holder and Baader or other astronomical filters with 48mm thread

60mm to 52mm stepdown adapter (NIB)
Ideal for use with the Nikon AF-1 filter holder and standard UV/IR or other filters with 52mm thread.

60mm to 58mm stepdown adapter (NIB)
Ideal for use with the Nikon AF-1 filter holder and standard UV/IR or other filters with 58mm thread.

Anti-aliasing AA filter for Kodak DCS 760 and 660 (LNIB) $295
A neccessity for dealing with moire issues on the DCS760 or DCS660 Kodak.

Infrared IR blocking filter for Kodak DCS 760, 720x, 660 and 620x (NIB) $50
Replace your damaged IR filter on your DCS700 or 600 series Kodak.

Contact Me

Review for Vivitar 285HV IR-D Flash
Dave Beckerman has kindly given me permission to reference his blog in which he discusses the Vivitar 285HV IR-D that I built for him. He is having a lot of success using it for night time infrared photography with HIE Kodak film and discusses some of the exposure parameters. If this link fails then go to the current blog page and scroll down to the entry dated 09/10/07 3.17pm to see the review.

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.

Copyright Information
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© Shane Elen. Last updated Feb 3rd, 2008.