Hi Bobbi!
I don't have the same problem, but then again, I do have a different lens.
One thing I wanted to add, is that you should be able to keep the flash turned off in
any mode on your D50 camera.
The trick is to change the flash mode out of automatic for any of the P, A, S, M modes and the just shut the flash down when it pops up. It will stay down. In the preprogrammed modes, just change the flash mode to off. The way to change the flash mode is: hold down the flash button (with the lightning symbol) on the front left side of the camera body, and turn the thumb wheel dial in the back upper right side. Watch in the top display and you can scroll through the flash options; red eye, back fill, no flash, etc.
If you have any trouble, let me know.
