Wacom Tablet: I am considering of purchasing a Wacom Tablet to use to work on my photos. Any suggestions of which one any one prefers. Or any good information for me on another product...

BJS Loc: Co

I am considering of purchasing a Wacom Tablet to use to work on my photos. Any suggestions of which one any one prefers. Or any good information for me on another product to help me decide which one to buy. I dont know much about it but have been reading on where people use this to work on their photos and would like to try it.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I had the large one unless there is a medium. A lot of people like them but I could not get used to it.

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

I have a Wacom Intuos 4 and like it very much. I'm sure there are newer models as I've had mine for a few years. Go to the Wacom Website and check out what's available with the features you want and the price you want to pay.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

One feature you'll want and use is the wireless connection.

BJS Loc: Co

Is wacom the only product that is available for you use to modify photos.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Depending on desk space and monitor size, the small or medium is usually plenty large enough. I have a 27" monitor and a medium Wacom and have mapped the Wacom surface to something a bit smaller than the whole tablet - bigger than the small, but not as large as the default size.

Personally, I cannot understand how some "cannot get used to it" since it is FAR more intuitive than a mouse. For detailed retouching, you will be able to do things easily that are incredibly clumsy with a mouse. Not that it cannot be done - the tablet is just easier.

Having said that, the mouse is still easier to use in some applications like word processing or in a spreadsheet.

johfoley

I bought a couple of graphic tablets (4"x3"and a 10") from monoprice dot com They are an inexpensive way to "find out". I loaned one to an instructor at the photo school I attended (to get an opinion) and he said it worked fine but he thought it was a little slow. I haven't used mine in a long time, since I haven't edited in a long time (Photoshop) but it's much nicer than a mouse, especially considering that I blew out my shoulder and wrist from too much AutoCad years ago. The pad is much less painful. Takes awhile to get used to though. I liked the 4" one because it fit in my laptop case.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

BJS wrote:

I am considering of purchasing a Wacom Tablet to use to work on my photos. Any suggestions of which one any one prefers. Or any good information for me on another product to help me decide which one to buy. I dont know much about it but have been reading on where people use this to work on their photos and would like to try it.

Having used both a mouse and tablet for photo editing I have to ask: what specifically do you need the tablet for when editing?

Unlike Cliff, I found that a mouse is just fine for photo editing and all I use the Wacom for is drawing/painting.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

rpavich wrote:

Having used both a mouse and tablet for photo editing I have to ask: what specifically do you need the tablet for when editing?

Unlike Cliff, I found that a mouse is just fine for photo editing and all I use the Wacom for is drawing/painting.

I do a lot of facial retouching and quite a few composites requiring extractions of image parts and the mouse just does not cut it. Of course you CAN use the mouse, the pen and tablet just make this thing easier. Tracing edges in small areas is far faster. The Wacom also has a "Precision" mode that decreases the movement sensitivity to allow incredible detail work at the pixel level if needed.

Working on small details, the pen/table will save you time. The pen/tablet does not do anything you cannot do with a mouse- just easier, faster, and a more natural hand position.

It is just a tool. I find it invaluable. Others get along fine without it.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

CaptainC wrote:

I do a lot of facial retouching and quite a few co... (show quote)

Ahh..yes. for things like that it's good, though I still use a mouse :)

I don't make a living at it like you do.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

I've got a big Genius tablet I do graphics, and stuff with. It'll do more, than I'll ever know how to do with it. Plus, it was a lot more affordable, than a same size Wacom.

BJS Loc: Co

Thank you everyone for your comments. And to answer why I want to use one is because I had surgery on my wrist years ago and I use a mouse all day at work and then come home and try to work on photos. It is getting to the point where it is too much for my wrist so I thought using the pen would be easier on my wrist.

BJS Loc: Co

CaptainC - I was thinking of getting a medium but not sure what one I should get. I dont need top of the line. Is there one you would suggest getting?

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I've used a Wacom for about 6 years now and couldn't live without it. Mine came with a pen and a mouse so it's really easy to switch back and forth. As CaptianC mentioned, it is invaluable for detailed touch-up work. I've seen other tablets advertised for a lower price but the Wacom quality is unsurpassed. The darn things just work good right out of the box and keep on working.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

BJS wrote:

I am considering of purchasing a Wacom Tablet to use to work on my photos. Any suggestions of which one any one prefers. Or any good information for me on another product to help me decide which one to buy. I dont know much about it but have been reading on where people use this to work on their photos and would like to try it.

The only thing you have to worry is ergonomics. Many purchase the large one to be sorely disappointed when the medium fits right in.
Wireless mentioned above is nice.
I have the medium one and do not use it nearly enough and I am beating myself over the head with it when I think about it. I am so used to my Logitech marble that I just forget... :thumbdown: