My pictures are coming out very dark at night despite having the flash on. Not sure if I accidentally changed some setting or what. There is an icon at the bottom, middle of screen that looks like a hand. What is this?

It has nothing to do with the memory card. Try pulling your batteries out -- including the backup battery -- and letting the device reset to its default settings. You probably changed the contrast accidentally.

If the day time pictures are good then the setttings for the night shots must be selected according to the light intensity. Please check on the menu for night settings if you are intenting a low light shoot. Also make sure that the flash is active, in most of the present day samml cameras, the flash THROW is low and so the SUBJECT must not be too far as the picture will appear dark. So when using flash in a dark scene have the subject within 5-7 feet as the small flash will not be able to capture the openess. Also you can use a SLAVE flash to counter this and give a better prospective.

I fixed this same problem with my D70s today, after twelve months of getting dark pictures despite the flash firing. It started syncing properly after I performed the following, though I'm not sure why as I was just mucking around.
- Set Program to P. - Push button to activate built-in flash. - Push, and keep depressed same button, which will put you in Flash Exposure Compensation mode. - My Flash Exposure Compensation was on +0.3 so I set it to 0.0 by turning the front wheel. Seemed to fix it.

Try resetting the camera. Go into the setup menu and find "reset".

no there isn,t.but these cameras do not have enough flash to take great pictures at night,for one you cant be to far away,two you have to have a subject in range of the flash,other wise all you get is darkness.but at the most 10ft is the farthest you can go and still get a great shot at dark.also use auto mode when taking pictures,because it adjusts to light-dark etc.i know this because i have the same camera and its awesome,plus im a photo technician and ran a photo lab for 3years selling digital cameras. good luck,hope i helped

Hello did you try brightening the frame rate of the camera?? and the quality of the picture?? That usualy would help..

Do you see any flash error code on lcd screen? if no then...
Flash will work when camera will set on auto mode ( green mark on jog dial) and you will see flash icon on lcd screen.

Check your settings, is it still on Auto or have you accidentally changed the settings to manual settings.

Check your flash modes, it may have slipped into slow sync.

Check your picture settings, the wrong setting for the time of day or object can definetly throw off the appearance of your pictures. Plus, you may have accidentally set it to "warm" instead of auto or black and white, etc. Warm pictures have a reddish tint to them just as the cool have a blue tint. Also I have found the "night setting" only takes really good pictures if you are close to the subject otherwise it is pretty dark!

There is quite a few things that could be affecting this. I, personally, own the D50 Nikon model, which has a few issues that you discuss. Here is what you can check: Check to see if it is in Auto or Manual mode. Check to see if you have selected a night time photo selection vs. day time photo selection. Also, check to see if you have selected the close up or scenic. Next, go to the main button area with all those icons on it. Hold down the button on the top of it, and turn the dial to where it faces the flash icon. When you are under there, make sure to set it to Auto. Otherwise, when you are taking a picture you can click on the flash icon incase it has one. Bottom line, you NEED to make sure its set to night mode. That will make sure your lense will absorb or sense that it needs that lighting in order to produce a perfect dark setting picture. If you dont, the shutter will hold until it senses some lighting. Check this out and let us know how it works out for you.