Hartung's is back!!

[Stonius]

It's available here; https://www.mup.com.au/items/9780522845532

The publisher tells me that the pictures are all in black and white in this edition, for reasons that couldn't be helped.

I'm ordering mine now! :-)

-Markus

[Stonius]

Also just found out that the ePub version will be coming next Tuesday with colour images.

Cheers
Markus

[goober]

Thanks!

[Mamba]

Thanks for the heads up Markus.
Have ordered mine just now.
Dave Cooke

[Stonius]

Ah, don't thank me, I just sent a couple of emails. Thank the publisher - they did all the work and took all the risk!!

Markus

[Weird1]

Just as a matter of interest there is someone in Sydney selling a second edition on ebay for $500+, I guess that he will have to drop his price now that a new more easily accessible edition is available.

Cheers Keith

[dreamstation]

Has anyone had their copy delivered or anything other than the order confirmation email sent to them? I ordered on Thursday but I haven't had any update other than the initial order confirmation email.

[Stonius]

I ordered on Thursday too. No news as yet...

[Ghen]

I've just ordered mine, but with shipping to NZ, it might be a little while.

Not too fussed aboutt he B&W, don't exactly see much colour through the scope anyway:shrug:

[beren]

Ordered a Copy, but noticed today on the MUP site you can't find it ? Thanks Markus ......I have emailed them before but never got a reply. I have been borrowing a copy from my local library for years and probably driven the staff nuts with requests to hold or overdue notices including a couple of book replacement fees for $20 �� Tempting but couldn't do it

[goober]

Just received an email - mine has shipped.

[Stonius]

Same. Dispach notice arrived today.

[Stonius]

It's back up now

[dreamstation]

Mine has shipped also.

[anthony.tony]

Hello today I got an Email saying my order of 2 copies of Hartung's Have been shipped - Thank's for your help and research - Tony.

[acropolite]

Ordered last night, thanks for the heads up.

[Stonius]

Got mine today. Lots of information. Looking forward to getting stuck into it. However, I notice the pictures in mine are not simply black and white, but also have a distracting scanline appearance. I'm trying to find out if it's just my copy that has this issue. If anyone else is experiencing this, please let me know.

The ePub version goes up tomorrow, so maybe a comparison between the electronic version and the print copy will shed some light. It will be available here. [Edit; Incorrect download address posted previously. Try this; Hartungs ePub Version #1 (https://www.mup.com.au/items/9780522871241) or this Hartungs ePub Version #2 (https://www.mup.com.au/items/119129) ]

Cheers

Markus

[dreamstation]

That doesn't sound good at all. Mine has not arrived yet but I will be sure to post what I find when I do. Hopefully it's just yours. No offence! ;)

[Stonius]

None taken. I hope it's just mine too. I've let the publisher know. They're investigating. Aparrently the ePub version doesn't have the same problem, so no answers as yet, but I would like to know the scale of the issue so I can report back to them. Maybe mine was first out of the box and therefore right at the end of the print run or something where the ink ran a little dry? I don't know; I don't pretend to understand the process of making books.

Markus

[goober]

Mine has the same issue. I haven't seen that before - it's quite odd. Almost as if the images have been printed onto fabric. Certainly not up to the quality of my old long gone hardcover 2nd edition, but nice to have it back.

[Mamba]

Received mine this morning and the photographs have the same fault, best described as a weave in fabric, would have to say that the images are very poor but the information contained in the book is fascinating. I won't be sending it back.
Dave Cooke

[dreamstation]

Mine has not arrived yet but it is disappointing to hear that it's not just a once off. I wonder how such a flaw could be overlooked. The beauty of the book may be in the text itself but it's a shame that the images in this print have come off second best.

[Merlin66]

Sound like some similar issues I've seen with the "print on demand" books. Probably caused by the rescanning of the illustrations.....

[goober]

Yeah, I think this is precisely the case. I had a closer look at the text over lunch and it doesn't appear as "crisp" as you'd expect from an off the shelf book.

[beren]

Got the ePUB but had trouble (and wait for the download link) downloading to my IPad , finally got it to work when I used the Chrome browser . Shame about the pics in the hard copies .

[Stonius]

Like a moire pattern? That could make sense as the parts that are effected would have used the halftone printing method.

Sad to see the issue seems to be more widely spread, but then, you buy this book for the information, not the pictures so much.

[GTB_an_Owl]

pictures in the ePUB are also black and white

discounted to $26.99

no trouble downloading

geoff

[astroron]

I still have my 1995 2nd addition with it's beautiful coloured pictures
plastic rapped cover and signed by David Malin for sale at or near $1000:00
If anyone is interested?:rofl::rofl::rofl:
No grainy black and white pictures.;)
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

Geoff,
I assume the illustrations in the eBook are OK?????

[VPAstro]

Yep, me to Ron.
But I will not sell mine. My wife bought it for my birthday back in 1995, so it has a greater value to me.
See you,
Andrew...

[GTB_an_Owl]

not brilliant Ken

geoff

[Stonius]

Hi Geoff,

Are they all black and white (excluding the cover illustrations)? Do the exhibit the moire screen door effect?.

Thanks
Markus

[GTB_an_Owl]

all B/W Marcus

geoff

[anthony.tony]

Hello My 2 copies turned up today 12/9/2016.GOT A 10% DISCOUNT and delivered freight free. 2 copies $99.00 all up .

[inertia8]

Correct me if I'm wrong, just flicked through my 1995 copy that I purchased on here earlier in the year.

The only colour photos are the set that's sandwiched between pages 147 and 151?

Can someone post an example of the issue you are seeing in the B&W photos shown with the object descriptions?

[sharptrack2]

Certainly a distraction but still can set the reader's expectation of what can be seen.

[dreamstation]

Received mine yesterday. Same issue unfortunately.

I also noticed the chapter numbers have a similar 'scanline' appearance about them but may well be how it is supposed to be. Can anyone with an older copy confirm if the large chapter numbers are meant to be that way? Thanks.

[astroron]

You are right about the colour pictures in the block on the pages you mentioned.
All the other pics with the description are in black and white.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Stonius]

Yes, you are correct. in the 1995 version, the middle section is in colour, while the other images (the ones interspersed between the text) are black and white.

The 2016 paperback reprint of the second edition has black and white images throughout, and also has the issue mentioned below to a greater or lesser degree on probably 90% of the images within.

This ePub version does faithfully present the colour pages from the centre section, same as in the original 1995 version. The strange lines do not seem to be evident in the ePub version.

-Markus

[GTB_an_Owl]

doh!
yes i told a lie
ePub version has colour pictures in middle section

geoff

[poncho]

Pretty grainy :(

[Peter Ward]

I have the Cambridge University Press 1984 paperback edition.... any bids? :)

[StuTodd]

If you want pretty pictures then there are plenty of coffee table books to look at. Hartung's is primarily a guide/reference text book.
The pictures don't really matter...

Stu

[dreamstation]

Vehicles are primarily a source of getting from point A to point B but they include accessories like a stereo, heated seats and air conditioning to improve the comfort of the occupants while doing so. The inclusion of images in this book was not an accident and they are well below the quality one would expect from a book of this calibre. They may not be the primary focus of the book but that doesn't mean they should be half arsed.

I sent MUP an email earlier in the week about the issue but I'm yet to get a response.

[acropolite]

My copy arrived today, as James points out, the images are not acceptable for a book costing that much, reference or not. The look of the publication is that it was printed on a worn out laser printer. Given the choice again, I would have waited for the eBook.

[StuTodd]

Ok, I've had enough beer now..
That's a "wife on the defensive" argument. A vehicle is, as you correctly say, "primarily a source of getting from point A to point B but they include accessories like a stereo, heated seats and air conditioning to improve the comfort of the occupants while doing so".....yeah...the same as the piccys in the book!

Hartung's is primarily a source of information, with varying quality of "fluff and padding" added. Your Aston Martin has lovely "photos", my Toyota Starlet is full of dog hair and the stereo doesn't work..it is still a useful, cheap car...book....


yeah...:bashcomp:

I do however hope your question to the publisher regarding quality of photos is noticed!

Shtu :)

[Kev11]

I received my copy today. I was a bit surprised that MUP let it through as they have a reputation for quality books albeit usually more expensive. I think maybe they could have set the price point higher and got a better job. In the 19C equivalent books - specialist with a lot of artwork (engravings in those days) - were pre-sold by subscription, I suppose that wouldn't neccessarily work these days. It is probably not generally recognised that serious non-fiction books have to be heavily subsidised to be published (I recall some in the science area in which I worked where the organisation had to pay 95% of the cost). Miegunyah Press, an arm of MUP, produces beautiful hard-backs at not unreasonable prices, but they are subsidised by the Grimwade Bequest.

[Stonius]

My understanding is that it was an error in printing that they will rectify in about a week. No word yet what happens with people who have already bought the book. I asked the question last week and haven't heard back.

To be honest, I don't know what this means for them as a publisher. Is it a simple insurance claim (is an insurance claim ever simple)? Or does it mean that replacing books already purchased would result in a net loss? They didn't have to republish, and certainly they wouldn't have if they didn't think they could make $$ out of it, but "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" it ain't. Maybe what's gone from a nice gesture from the publisher has turned into a liability. In the end, I'm grateful that they have republished, in whatever state, as the prices for second-hand copies were getting ridiculous and I'd rather people had access to the information within.

I agree with those who say the images are not acceptable as the flawed nature of the images was not disclosed as part of the sale, and therefore represents a fault.

On the other hand, I also agree that the images are not a quintessential part of the book. I would even go so far as to say that there are far better images available online that benefit from modern image processing techniques (many shot by members of this group). Even if I had an original second edition would I consult it for the pictures? Probably not. Though it is nice to glance across when reading the text to see what is being referred to.

Markus

[poncho]

Please let us know if any word back from the publisher if they will rectify this thanks!!

[anthony.tony]

I am Not Whingeing about My Copies = Great Value -Plenty of Info- It is A Classic for Australian AM Astronomers- There are not Many Books like This written By Australian Astronomers - Tony.

[Huey]

Received mine last week. I love it despite some of the pictures having"streaks". A great read, excellent value and a must for any astronomy buff or anyone interested in the subject.

..............Christmas is coming Drop a hint or order early ;)

Clear skies
Huey

[Curt]

Only the ebook is available now. Oh well. Easy come easy go.

[astroron]

They have probably cut the other book because of all the complaints they are getting about it. :(
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Mamba]

Thank goodness I ordered mine early on and now have it in my possession. It's a brilliant book only slightly deminished by a few crappy photographs. So what if the images are crap, you can always find the illustrations on line.
You never know, this may become a much sought after version in the future, shortest published life in history.
Mamba

[StuTodd]

Yeah. There are ways of printing ebooks...I believe..

[luka]

Most likely the "bad" books have been pulled from the shelves and will be replaced with new "corrected" versions.

[dreamstation]

Has anyone had any luck in contacting the publisher? I sent an email weeks ago but I still haven't had a response. I just resent the email to the same email address as well as their e-store email address so hopefully they get it this time.

[hamiland]

I spoke with them on the phone and they are going through the process of re-scanning then printing and are well aware of the issue. They put me on a list (or fumbled around a bit and made me believe they were) for a replacement copy when released.

[Stonius]

I heard the 'new and improved' version will be back on sale next week.

[dreamstation]

I received a response to my email today that said there were printing errors with some of these books and that they're updating the files used for the book and reprinting it in the next week or so. They also said that they were happy to send out a replacement copy once the new version is ready and would let me know when they do that.

So basically what you guys just said! It's great that they acknowledge and are wanting to rectify the issue that many people have had with the book. :)

[hamiland]

Just received shipping confirmation on my 2 replacement copies, so should see in a couple of days how the images look in the new version. Also mup do have the paperback version in their store available for purchase again now. Just have to work out what to do with 4 copies when the new ones arrive ��

[dreamstation]

Received confirmation on my replacement copy as well today :)

[Stonius]

Same here

[poncho]

Only available at MUP?
The paperback seems to be a 1995 publication date, but the ebook is 2016.
And looking to get a physical copy

[hamiland]

Whilst I don't have the ebook, I can only speculate, however as it is scanned I wouldn't think there would be any difference between the two (apart from colour images as mentioned by previous posts). Also as mup have done the scanning etc I think this is the only place it is available currently. There are discounts available if you look around (my two copies were $82.50 shipped).

[Stonius]

Received my reissue today. Can confirm the pictures are fixed..

Cheers

Markus

[luka]

You can get Hartung's half price ATM ($27.50 + shipping).

Melbourne University Press has all books on sale. Use the discount code SUMMER to claim your 50% discount. Ebooks are excluded.
Sale ends Sunday 15th January 2017, 11.59pm (AEDT).
Shipping is free in Australia when you buy two or more print titles.

[Benjamin]

Thanks so much for this post as I've been eyeing this book for a while 2/H. Ordered!

[Zuts]

Yes, thanks for the heads up, I also just ordered a copy :)