Looking for Answers about Nikon Inc. AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter (Hot Shoe to PC)?

The older 285's were high voltage, the AS-15 is for low voltage strobes.

No sometimes studio strobes will damage you too. I think wireless is better.

In order to better assist you, please click on the link below:
Answer Title: How to ask or update a Technical Support question
Answer Link: http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans...

If I read you question right you want to use your sb600 off the camera, depends on whay camera you are using, the AS15 is a sync to your PC that can be used with strobe lights, it is not a flash commander. You need a SU-800 commander.

No settings on the camera needed. Verify compatibility with the manufacture of the flash guns.

Yes, by connecting to the sync port on the camera and another one in the AS-15.

As you know you would have to set a studio flash manually. If the studio flash has a slave feature, you can mount the SB600 on your D80, then the SB600 will trigger the studio flash. If you want to fire the studio flash through a cord, then you need the AS-15, but once you mount that there is no way to mount the SB600 to your D80. So with the AS-15 mounted, the only way to fire an SB600 would be a third party slave trigger, or mounted the SB600 separately to the Nikon SU-4.

The D-90 has 'Commander Mode' built into the camera, so you don't 'need' a sync cord. Commander Mode allows you to control multiple groups of remote Nikon flashes #SB-600, SB-700, SB-800 etc# wirelessly. It uses a pre-flash from the built in pop up flash, or an attached Nikon flash to send out a code to the flash then the flash for the exposure occurs. This works great unless you are not within line of sight of the remote flash. To turn on Commander Mode go to the Menu on the camera - it is option E2 in the custom settings menu. You will also need to setup the SB-700 as a slave on the same channel and group that you setup in the camera.

Yes, here is the D3200 system chart:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3200/compatibility01.htm

Nikon Digital SLR cameras can be used with third-party studio strobe systems when extra light is needed.The strobes are connected to the camera's PC connector (use the AS-15 Adapter on the D7100/ D7000/ D5100/ D5000/D3200/ D3100/ D3000/ D100/ D90/ D80/ D70/ D70s/ D60/ D50/ D40/ D40X to add this necessary connector plug) and will fire when the camera's shutter opens. If a camera has a built in sync terminal, this may be used instead of the AS-15.

No Program modes ("A" "S" or "P") can be used when using external strobes, as the camera has no way to meter or control external units.

Warning: Negative voltages or voltages over 250 V applied to the camera's sync terminal could not only prevent normal operation, but may damage the sync circuit of the camera or flash. Check with the strobe manufacturer for voltage specifications.