MirrorMirror

A host site called github doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Git Seriously though, not for me. I wouldn't know what to do or like to take the risk; software fully developed for my PC is for me Good luck though....

Sorry mate. I'm sure your intentions are honourable but personally I wouldn't dream of downloading and installing software from someone's forum post. It's just too dodgy in my opinion. Each to their own though, I'm sure you'll get some good feedback from others.

You can assign the Preview Exposure to a function button for easy ON or OFF

There's nothing wrong with the flash, it's a settings issue. You need to have the "Preview Exposure in Manual" menu option set to OFF. At the moment it's previewing the manual exposure which, as you say, is black. Turn the preview setting OFF and the image will gain up so you can at least see what you are taking. Also shutter has to be manual or manual + electronic, not just electronic. But the Preview setting is what is making the image black. It's in the manual (page 211) where the setting is, or a good look through each setting, probably a screen setting (setup menu screen settings), will find it.