Displaying 16 Bit RAW GRAY SCALE image data in VC++ (mfc)

I have 16-bit packed RAW GRAY SCALE images.
each image may have different high bit, for example: 9,11,13, or 15 (10,12,14, or 16 bits per pixel respectfully). Building and using image statistics I can calculate min/max pixel values, and expand dynamic range of image to 16-bit per pixel/or using other embedded information to expand range to 16bits. make notice this images have > 10 mega pixels, file size > 20MB ;) speed is an issue here.

all above is very easily done, and I have that part already done.

now I wish to display this image data onto CDC without loosing dynamic range of image (without converting pixel data ie 16->8 bit). Also not to create double images, for example: one with 16bit (original for processing), and second with 8bit (clone for displaying on DC). Is there any vc++/mfc solution for this, or this is only my wishful thinking?

briefly tried to use DIBSection with pallets, but to my knowledge this should be used on RGB displays with less than 24bits (8 bits per channel). Anyway got stuck in finding proper working example for pallets, ie none of them uses 16bits gratscale image data.

I guess I've tried almost anything. And it seams Windows GDI doesn't like me too much when 16 bit greyscale images are in question.

Any other ideas how to solve the problem would be very appreciated.

thanks

Tags: C++, MFC, GDI