getting RGB from a 16-bit bitmap

[Partizan]

well no you are not missing something. in fact you are right. however dont forget that this answer was given to a specific question

In that case you threw me off with one of your replies to philkr, saying that your method will work with ANY bitmap. You should note that it will work with "any" bitmap only if you are upconverting that "any" bitmap.

if you seek for better solution that is not device depended the better/fast way is to work with the raw bits and simply turn each RGB24 to RGB16 , here look at this sample that i worte:

Thanks. I'm using similar in-memory manipulations on DIBs to change color depth. I find this method fast and accurate.