Nikon Z body with AS-15

[MEPER]

Would it be possible to use my Nikon SB-11 flash with Z50 if I get an AS-15 adapter and use a flash sync cable to connect AS-15 to SB-11 synch input?
Then I would set Z50 to M and select an appropriate flash sync speed (1/60 to 1/200)?
SB-11 will be set to one of the three computer modes and I would set lens aperture accordingly.
I was about to sell my SB-11 but could be fun to check how it works. I don't have an AS-15 yet.

[Birna Rørslett]

Should work. I regularly use studio flashes in a similar manner, but usually via IR triggers to avoid all the cables.

[MEPER]

Ok, then I will get an AS-15 and try it.
I can see the prof. cable for it is named SC-15 but I have a short simpleX-synch cable with just the connectors and not the prof. threaded connectors.

[Birna Rørslett]

Any flash cable with standard PC connector will work. The trreaded connectors just ensure the cable end will stay put, that's all (although good to ensure a reliable connection!)

[MEPER]

Good to know it is called PC connector.
I have a vintage male to male connector I keep using. It is a simple wire about 20 cm long.
I don't need those thick spiral cables like the SC-15. So now I can search for a PC flash sync cable male to male if I want a new one.

[MEPER]

I received an AS-15 and I tried it out. The unit works but the software in Z50 prevents to get a good view in viewfinder.
I set the camera to M-mode and then with 16-50 lens I selected f/8 and set the SB-11 SU-2 to "f/8" (the "blue" computer flash setting).
The problem is that the viewfinder and screen is totally dark. It shows how the image would look like if shot without a flash. The camera does not know that a flash is mounted and it seems I can't switch off the stupid "simulation" in camera Settings. If I put on a TTL-flash like SB-400 the viewfinder "lights up" as soon as I turn on the flash.

With AS-15 and SB-11 if I point the camera against a light source I can see it and AF works and I can get a nice image. So camera can fire flash and image gets well exposed.
It does not help much to go from 1/200s to 1/60s. The viewfinder is still very dark.

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

have you tried custom setting d7?

d7: Apply Settings to Live View
G button  A (Custom Settings menu)
Choose On to preview how changes to such settings as white balance, Picture Controls, and exposure compensation affect color and brightness in photo mode, or select Off to adjust brightness and hue for ease of viewing (regardless of the option selected, the effects of the aforementioned settings are always visible in movie mode). A g icon is displayed when Off is selected.

[MEPER]

Perfect!
That works!
It was the setting I was looking for so software not that stupid :-)
D7 was set to "On" and when turning it "Off" I get an amplification of the view so I see a bright image even when ambient light is very low.
In Z50 there is only two options (On or Off).

[MEPER]

This is the setup. AS-15 is not visible in the picture but the X-sync cable is connected to it.
I have mostly used the SB-11 with the Lumiquest pocket bouncer. It gives a softer light.