graphics tablets

[4Lmike]

does anyone in here use a graphics tablet for their editing? im thinking of getting one so if anyone has any recommendations please let me know

[Kwacker]

I use a wacom Bamboo. Cheap and cheerful but works well. I don't do a lot of editing but when I do its great.

Kwacker

[14-7]

Got one a last year as a pressie of then GF. Tried using it for a few weeks but hated it compared to a mouse.

I know a lot like them but I just couldn't get used to it so ended up getting rid.

Was a Wacom Bamboo Fun by the way.

[Rich K]

I too have a Wacom that has ended on a shelf as I find the mouse so much easier

I just couldn't get the feel and accuracy that the mouse gives

[andy-xr]

Wacom here as well, use it all the time for more intricate editing, rather than pressing filter buttons or layers etc

My other options are a trackpad or magic mouse and neither appeal tbh once you're used to using a tablet

[-Pete-]

I have a Wacom Graphire A5 tablet, it's really great for photo-editing. I tried one or two other makes, and they weren't very nice to use.

But I don't use the tablet for anything else, in fact it's risky to use explorer with a tablet because folders can easily be dragged and dropped all over the place.

Get one, you'll quickly learn how to use it (it's very natural) and you'll be able to do much more detailed work than you can with a mouse.

[lloyd h]

+1 for the Wacom Bamboo tablet. They're not for everyone though. Great for layer masking, cloning and all other intricate editing bits and bobs.

[4Lmike]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm sold.

The wacom bamboo is about £50

The wacom intuos 4 is £250

Any idea why the big price difference?

[flat-planedCrank]

I use a wacom almost all the time - only use the mouse for gaming

Can take a short time to get used to it, but once you do it's just so more more natural to edit images.


IIRC the Bamboo is aimed at home users, the Intuous is aimed at professionals and has additional functionality and discriminates between even more pressure levels.


When my Graphire tablet needs replacing I'm planning on getting an Intuous

[andy-xr]

The first tablet I got was A5, the Bamboo one. I didn't use it much as I was running 2 x 24 inch screens, and found it wasn't as accurate as I'd have liked. I persevered with it though, especially for retouching skin and other things.

I thought it'd be better if I got a bigger one, as I was more accurate with a tablet than a mouse, so I got the next one up, it's just over A4 sized and I use that on a 15 inch MBP and 28 inch iMac. Ideally the next one up again if I had the choice, but what I have is adequate

[Oldred_V8S]

Intuous 4 here, but started with the Bamboo and then gave up on it.

I can only say that if you get one you will not like it at first but invest time in getting used to it and you will not use a mouse. I now use the tablet for everything and would not go back to a mouse. The trick is to not try to use it like a mouse, i.e. do not drag the stylus across the tablet but hover a few mm above the surface and use taps rather than the buttons, once I realised this it was plain sailing.

[craikeybaby]

I've got a Bamboo Touch, which I use mainly for brush work in Lightroom, but if I pick up the pen rather than my mouse it is just as easy to use.

The only downside to it is that my desk is a complete mess and I quite often have to move things to get at the tablet

[K12beano]

Rich K said:

I too have a Wacom that has ended on a shelf as I find the mouse so much easier

I just couldn't get the feel and accuracy that the mouse gives

+1 Although I am thinking of giving it another try, two/three years on to see how it fits with my PP style as this has developed.

[Pixel Pusher]

Wacom Intuos 4 XLs here. Great bit of kit.

Really like the custom function Touchring as it allows you to rotate the image to suit the direction of your arm when drawing and control the zoom.

There is a wireless puck / mouse available for it too.

[4Lmike]

I think I know what I'm going to ask for for xmas then...

[flat-planedCrank]

I'd certainly say there is a bit of a learning period with a tablet - but as soon as you get used to the way a tablet works and how it's not like a mouse (the pen doesn't have to touch the tablet surface to track its position) it turns into a really intuitive way to work