Graphic's tablet

[JPS]

Hi all,
I am currently using Adobe Elements 9 and when adjusting my picture use a combination of the mouse and keyboard. I notice that professional's use graphic tablets, with 'pen'. I understand this combination (tablet / pen) makes PP a lot easier; does anybody use one and can you give me any advice on what to look for (specification) if I were to purchase one.

[Donald]

John

I think there are quite a few of us on here use a tablet. I've got the little Wacom Bamboo (A5 size) and love it. It does all that i want. I know that others have the larger, higher-end tablets and are equally impressed with them.

It's a different way of working. The idea is exactly the same - you are moving the cursor around the screen. But it is far more precise. It's like using a pencil or a paintbrush on paper.

It takes a couple of days to get used to, but once your up and running you'll never use your mouse on photography work again.

I still have my mouse and use it for 'non-photo' (Word, Powerpoint etc etc) stuff. But for all photography-related stuff, I put the Mouse to the side and pull my tablet alongside the keyboard.

[JPS]

Thanks Donald,
I have looked (online) and the prices vary so much, from about £80 up to £200-£300. I'm confused what extra I get for my money, if I buy a more expensive one. My PP skill's are still in the early stage and don't want to buy a cheaper one just to find out I soon grow out of it; but then again I don't want to spend out on a more expensive one just because I think I'm getting something better, when maybe I not. Not sure if my ramblings make any sense, but hopefully you get what I mean.

[Donald]

John

Given that I've got one of the basics, albeit from, I think, the best maker - Wacom, I don't know what I'm missing out on by not having one of the 'big ones'.

I have no issue with the fact that for a professional graphic artist, the top-end models with an infinite variety of pen-nib styles and a wide ability for the application of pressure sensitivity to the pad to increase or decrease the intensity of the action you are carrying out, are an essential tool.

But for what I am doing - using it a means to manipulate sliders/controls etc in post-processing software for the purposes of editing images (rather than creating graphics), I find the Bamboo (and mine is now an out-of-date model) more than adequate.

[JPS]

Donald thank you, I think I will give one a try. If you are more than happy with your one and you are much more experienced than me, then it should certainly do all I would need it to do.
Thanks for the quick response, I might treat myself to one tomorrow, it will give something to play with while it's snowing outside.
I know I should get out with the camera, but I've not long been out of hospital, so only inside photography for a while.

[Nat]

I also use the Wacom Bamboo MTE-450. It's not real big, but it does what I want it to do. GREAT for working on photos, especially small areas that you want full control over that you can't quite do with your mouse. I love it.

[JPS]

Thanks Nat,
as I practice my PP skill, working in and around small areas is hard with the mouse and in some cases impossible. I see some of the great work you guys are doing on this site and one day hope to emulate it. In the long term I thing I should invest a little in a decent tablet and make a promise to myself to keep practising with it and my software.
Thanks again for the advice.
John

[FrankMi]

I use the Bamboo Capture that has screen navigation features that I never use, I should have gotten the Bamboo Connect as that's all I really need and less expensive.

[JPS]

Thanks Frank,
I'll have a look online and see what's out there.
I had a feeling some of you guy's might be using a tablet, maybe it's more than I thought, well I'll be joining you all very soon now. Lol

[russellsnr]

Hi, I started with the Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch (you can find them pretty cheap online) I didn't see the point in going for a higher spec model until I had at least tried a tablet to see how I got on, now I have gone up to the Wacom Intuos 4 but only the small model (you can get S,M or L). What do I like about the Intuos 4 over the Bamboo, you have more options to assign short cut keys to individual apps and I also found the surface of the Intuos to be a little easier to work with the pen, it is also a little bit more responsive IMO.
My 2 pence worth for it's worth "Get the Bamboo and see how you get on"
Russ

[Geoff F]

From my experience, John, bigger is better when using a tablet.

I have had a number of different makes and sizes. There are a few fairly large (say A4) sizes at very competitive prices and they do a good job for basic work but I found they had a limited life. Although cheap enough to purchase every couple of years.

Eventually I purchased an A5 approx Wacom at a price which frightened me! But found it rather fiddly to use. Particularly for fine detail work. I suppose it is OK if you are used to doing very fine work or small artistic drawing etc but it didn't fully suit my 'working man's hands'.

Then I acquired a secondhand Wacom with a 12 x 12 ins working area for only £50 and haven't looked back. But when this item eventually dies I suppose I will just have to grin and pay up for something similar. Or return to the cheaper short lived items.

ps. I still have the A5 Wacom as a spare but don't think I would like to return to it now.

[JPS]

Thanks all, for your comments and suggestions, I'll let you know how I get on.

[krispix]

Hi John,
Sorry, I came in late to this post. (Too much drinking and merry-making yesterday)
The pro's all use Wacom, so there has to be a reason for that.
I use a Bamboo and I think it's great, but on occasion I have used my daughter's massive 24" Wacom which is wonderful, as long as you've got a big enough desk!

[jamn4ex]

John I am real glad you started this thread. I find myself thinking more and more about a pad... now I think its a must have

[FrankMi]

The first couple of days after getting my pen and tablet I kept going bact to the mouse as that is what I was used to. Within a week I found that I just can't do a quick or very effective post processing change without the tablet. The results are so much more precise since I made the change!

[Andreaau]

I have the medium size Wacom Intuos 4 tablet and love it! It is my first tablet so I can't compare it to others, but I do know that it didn't take long and now whenever I am in PS or PSE I can't use my mouse anymore.

[GrahamH]

If you have large hands (I have) you can mitigate the 'detail' issue by zooming in on screen to a greater extent. That way you still have the necessary ability for detail work. It's a lot easier to follow a line or curve when it takes up most of the screen (or even more).
I've used tablest for around 14 years and love them, only used the smallest cheapest ones I can get and they do a fine job.
Graham

[PBelarge]

I just purchased the Wacom Intuos 4 medium size. I noticed as I do more detailed processing the mouse was difficult and leading to sore hands/wrist. I am not looking forward to the adjustment time, but I am excited about the possibilities...