Holger Merlitz' book on binoculars, 2nd edition (2 Viewers)

[Canip]

I think most members of this forum have heard about Holger Merlitz and perhaps even read some of his contributions to optics in general or binoculars in particular, e.g.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/binoculars_english.html

Ever since his book “Handferngläser” came out in 2013, speculation about an English language version of this “bible” of the binocular world hasn’t stopped – so far, to no avail!

What did come out a few weeks ago is a much expanded and thoroughly revised 2nd edition of the German version. It again contains a plethora of practical tips for selecting and using binoculars (e.g. how to assess stray-light control in a bino), but the emphasis – Holger is a professor of physics, after all – is on explaining how things work. How exactly do antireflection coatings work? What are ideal distortion characteristics in a binocular? Why can field curvature create the illusion of depth of field? Why is Steiner’s “sports auto focus” nothing more than marketing lyrics? When does a binocular exhibit a good “ease of view” (Einblickverhalten)? etc.etc.

Again, an English language version of “the Merlitz” would be a real treat. Alas, no sign of it on the horizon yet.
As anyone can guess, my mother tongue is German, but many of my interactions and discussions about binoculars are in English, and to facilitate my use of Holger’s book in such discussions, in the absence of an English language version, I created a complete German-English and an English-German index, with references to the page numbers in the book*.

It occurred to me that perhaps one or the other English speaking forum member who does read some German texts might find an easier access to the book with these indexes, so you can find them here:
https://binocular.ch/tips-facts-figures/#toggle-id-6

(scroll down, then click on “E-D” or “D-E” to open, or right-click to download)

Canip

*these indexes are “unofficial” – Holger is aware of me creating them, but any errors, mistakes or omissions are entirely my responsibility. I have no commercial relationship with Holger Merlitz, nor any commercial interest in his book project.

 

[Binastro]

Canip,
I might have a go, as I read some German.

I would much prefer an English or at least American version.

Thanks,
B.

 

[yarrellii]

This is great, thanks for the update and especially for the DE-EN index.
As for the book (I don't know if it has been discussed elsewhere here at BF), how would you describe it in terms of "difficult for the layman"? (as in, "eager to lern but with very limited knowledge of physics... in any language. I'm afraid it's not German that would be to blame in this case ).
I like reading about popular science, and I can enjoy an easy essay about chaos/maths if it's written in an approachable way, but I'm concerned it could get too technical. German is not a problem. What do you reckon? Can you compare it (in terms of «technicallity» to another book?).
Thanks!

 

[Canip]

Hi yarellii,
The text is written in a straightforward, fact-based style typical for a technical book of this sort, comparable in large part also to the language found in many popular science journals. If you read some of Holger‘s texts on his website, you will know what to expect from the book.
In the first few chapters, there are many mathematical equations and expressions worthy of a high-level specialist publication, but they can easily be left aside.
The book contains a large number of graphs, charts, illustrations and photographs which of course can be studied by readers of any language.

 

[Canip]

?....
.....
.....
I would much prefer an English or at least American version.

.....
.....

I don’t know whether we will ever get one, but I haven‘t totally given up hope yet ....

 

[Holger Merlitz]

This is great, thanks for the update and especially for the DE-EN index.
As for the book (I don't know if it has been discussed elsewhere here at BF), how would you describe it in terms of "difficult for the layman"? (as in, "eager to lern but with very limited knowledge of physics... in any language. I'm afraid it's not German that would be to blame in this case ).
I like reading about popular science, and I can enjoy an easy essay about chaos/maths if it's written in an approachable way, but I'm concerned it could get too technical. German is not a problem. What do you reckon? Can you compare it (in terms of «technicallity» to another book?).
Thanks!

Hi Yarrellii,

Thanks a lot for your interest!

The book consists - apart from a simple introduction - of three parts: First the technical facts behind the functioning of binoculars, second aspects of human vision and how they affect binocular performance, and finally a practical part in which I describe how we may field test and select binoculars, depending on the field of application.

For a layman, I suggest to go through the introduction first and then jump straight into the practical part which doesn't contain any theoretical stuff. Instead, I frequently refer back into the rather technical chapters whenever any conclusions of non-trivial character are drawn. This implies that you may either accept that there may be a sense behind some of my claims, or you dive into the details of their derivation.

So, I think that the book may be useful for a rather broad readership, including those who are ready to dig deeper into the math and science of binoculars and human vision. I am confident that at some time an English translation will exist, though I cannot tell how long that may take.

Christophe, thanks so much for the translation of the index and for making it public!

Holger

 

[wllmspd]

Sounds like a very useful resource. I wonder whether some forum members would be able to help reduce the translation burden on Holger and help an English version arrive a little earlier? You would make a lot of people happy.

All the best

PeterW

 

[Holger Merlitz]

Sounds like a very useful resource. I wonder whether some forum members would be able to help reduce the translation burden on Holger and help an English version arrive a little earlier? You would make a lot of people happy.

All the best

PeterW

Thank you, Peter! The translation is - though time consuming - actually the minor problem. The difficulty is to find a publisher who is interested in that book. Technical books are not selling so well. It is easier to write a book in which high-end binoculars are praised, including lots of colorful pictures and advertisements. I could try to self-publish that book but that would turn rather complex since I would have to negotiate the license conditions with my German publisher and all that. I may do it, in the long run, if in fact no other publisher is going to be interested in that project, but currently it would be too much fuss ....

Cheers,
Holger

 

[yarrellii]

Holger, thank you so much for taking the time and answer my question in such an informative way, I really appreciate it. I am definitely getting. Like most forum members, I guess, I've been following your reviews and articles with great interest and the fact that there is a revised 2nd edition is probably what some of us needed to finally get it! Thanks again.

 

[yarrellii]

Canip, thanks for the clarification. You just hit the right nail "there are many mathematical equations and expressions worthy of a high-level specialist publication, but they can easily be left aside". That was the bit that worried me (lacking the technical/mathematical expertise/education to follow those equations). Thanks! I mean, Danke!

 

[WJC]

Thank you, Peter! The translation is - though time consuming - actually the minor problem. The difficulty is to find a publisher who is interested in that book. Technical books are not selling so well. It is easier to write a book in which high-end binoculars are praised, including lots of colorful pictures and advertisements. I could try to self-publish that book but that would turn rather complex since I would have to negotiate the license conditions with my German publisher and all that. I may do it, in the long run, if in fact no other publisher is going to be interested in that project, but currently it would be too much fuss ....

Cheers,
Holger

Wow, Holger and Peter back to back. This place is getting to be a class act! :cat:

Bill

 

[wllmspd]

Licensing conditions.... sad that it hinders the wider impact of your efforts. I hope some solution can be found as there some space on my bookshelf next to Bills book...

Peter

PS Bill, we physicists have a habit of sticking together.... magnetism!

 

[jcbouget]

The difficulty is to find a publisher who is interested in that book. Technical books are not selling so well.

That sounds very strange to me. There are thousands of technical books available from publishers like Springer, Cambridge University Press, CRC Press, SPIE Press, Wiley, etc. I doubt that many of these specialized books have a large audience.
I think that this book could be a good project for Cambridge University Press for example. But I don't know the problem about the licensing conditions.

 

[wllmspd]

Many “specialist” publishers like the ones mentioned tend to charge very high prices as those buying tend to need them for work and their employer is paying. We want to keep the price reasonable so we don’t restrict the audience.

Peter

 

[WJC]

Many “specialist” publishers like the ones mentioned tend to charge very high prices as those buying tend to need them for work and their employer is paying. We want to keep the price reasonable so we don’t restrict the audience.

Peter

Technical books typically sell for considerably more. Richard Berry told me that because my second binocular book was more technical, I should keep the price at least as high as the first, although it was half the size. I made the price even smaller that people interested in the subject would have no reason to shy away and continue turning to that paragon of false doctrine—on that subject, anyway—the Internet. Opinions won’t drive nails.

Since my vignette on collimation vs. conditional alignment in BINOCULARS: Fallacy & Fact was, at 38 pages, the largest treatise on the subject in the English language, it thought it would be of value to interested parties. Springer was one of the firms that gave me the runaround. The editor in the UK—who was their former publisher there—liked the book. But when conferring with New York—damned Yanks—I was told that to be published with them—regardless of its importance to its audience—it would need to be AT LEAST 10 CHAPTERS of AT LEAST 10 PAGES EACH (apparently, they sell chapters). Well, one vignette required 38 pages, one required only half of one page. Being a major college puke, I am well-versed in writing in eggheadese. Still, I was looking for communication, not pontification.

Also, I was to have no control over the cover, format, or layout. In addition, although astronomy and optics was a specialty with them, they refused to provide any needed photos and graphics. Having been a publisher—and owning InDesign and a 27-inch iMac—I figured I had the creative wherewithal to pull it off myself. Finally, I found a royalty of 70% better than one of 8% and receiving payment every month better than twice a year. :cat:

Bill

 

[jcbouget]

Many “specialist” publishers like the ones mentioned tend to charge very high prices as those buying tend to need them for work and their employer is paying. We want to keep the price reasonable so we don’t restrict the audience.

Peter

Well, some of their books obviously don't fall into this category. Here are two examples (I don't have these books, it's just for illustration):
Optics in the air. SPIE Press. 194p $34 or 43€ on amazon.fr
Shoot the moon. Cambridge. 330p £25 or 29€ on amazon.fr

Both books have color illustrations, are not intended for professionals, and are not super expensive.
My feeling is that Holger's book could be comparable with those books.
The German version already costs 37€. I don't expect an English translation to be less expensive.
And personally, I prefer an expensive book than no book at all. |=)|

 

[Holger Merlitz]

Well, some of their books obviously don't fall into this category. Here are two examples (I don't have these books, it's just for illustration):
Optics in the air. SPIE Press. 194p $34 or 43€ on amazon.fr
Shoot the moon. Cambridge. 330p £25 or 29€ on amazon.fr

Both books have color illustrations, are not intended for professionals, and are not super expensive.
My feeling is that Holger's book could be comparable with those books.
The German version already costs 37€. I don't expect an English translation to be less expensive.
And personally, I prefer an expensive book than no book at all. |=)|

Yes, with Springer I have been in negotiations already for the German edition, but they wanted lots of money (I was supposed to pay for the print), restricted the number of colored pages and still calculated high prices. Cambridge University Press was initially interested but they couldn't fit the topic of my book into any one of their subject areas. The content of my book is somewhat special in the sense that it isn't sufficiently formal to pass as a university text book, yet it contains too much of math to sell as a popular science book. Many publishers are unsure about how exactly to deal with it.

SPIE I haven't tried yet - it may be an option since they have got that 'Field Guide to Binoculars and Scopes' by Yoder & Vukobratovich, which - though much shorter - is on a similar technical level as my book. I shall contact them once and ask for their opinion.


Cheers,
Holger

 

[Holger Merlitz]

Just checked it, and now I remember why I haven't approached SPIE: They only accept manuscripts written in Microsoft Word, and I have coded everything in LaTeX :-(

Cheers,
Holger

 

[Troubador]

Holger if you haven't already done so you could try Verlag in Muenchen.
Sending PM with more info.

Lee

 

[corax]

...........
And personally, I prefer an expensive book than no book at all. |=)|

👍 👏