File converter NEF to DNG

As far as I can tell you will need the DNG Converter at least 9.5 to 13.4 for it to work with the D500.

See this link for info about DNG Converter, and the OS version required (Windows-10)-

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/using/adobe-dng-converter.html

For Windows-8 you may be able to locate on 'old' version of the Converter using FTP download from-

DNG ARCHIVES- Old Versions

@RayAtkison, if the latest version of Nikon software runs on your OS then that is certainly an option. Process the raw file and create a 16 bit tiff and import those images into Lightroom to do further editing. Retain your RAW images and maybe in the future you may be able to work with them in Lightroom with an update of the application.

The actual raw processing by Nikon software will be as good as Adobe and the other features available will work just fine on the tiff files.

Windows 8 is at an absolute dead end, if your computer is unable to upgrade to Windows 10 then you will probably experience more and more applications will cease to function.

The more I think of the situation if you fail to adjust with evolution then you will arrive at a situation where you have just dump every thing and leapfrog 10 years and start over.

Why purchase a new camera which requires advanced technology and adopt a crutch like a DNG converter to reduce the output you can get from your more advanced equipment. I adopted the path of shooting raw in 2004 and decided to ensure I was using the most up to date application available to process my files.

Now I am able to process RAW files from my Oly E-20 and E-300 with LrC process 5 and all the new camera profiles, create super enhanced images directly from the raw data, why would expect less.

Apologies for the rant.

I'm not really up on all the old operating systems. But I think what you are going to have to do is go to the Nikon website and download and install their software if it will run on Windows 8 and use it until you can get your new laptop. Otherwise you'll just have to shoot JPEG images. JPEG isn't going to break your camera, and the newer cameras do a pretty good job with JPEG. It appears that older versions of the DNG converter are not readily available, at least I'm not aware of a source for them.

If the Nikon software will install thing you can do your raw editing using it and then save TIF images that can be loaded into Lightroom 5.

Someone else might have a better idea, so keep watching.