Photo Retouching - - wacom board tips for retouching...

superkoax · #1 07-06-2007, 04:10 PM

I want a wacom board...!!! After much thought I'm going to buy a wacom board, but I want to hear from you wacom retouchers: what is the best one! It should be within 100-200USD ...

I've seen intuos3 for 129$ pluss shipment on ebay, it's 4" x 5" big...is this a good one? Graphire4 4x5" A6 for around 102$ + shipment...Maybe some of you can clear up for me on what to buy for retouching

Thanks

Gerry

Swampy · #2 07-06-2007, 05:32 PM

I used a 4x5 for many years and it served me well. Get what you can afford and what you have desk space for. They are bigger than the pictures you see on screen. As for retouching, since most of job is cloning/healing etc. you will be working in small areas so a smaller one will be okay.

Photo678 · #3 07-06-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superkoax

I want a wacom board...!!! After much thought I'm going to buy a wacom board, but I want to hear from you wacom retouchers: what is the best one! It should be within 100-200USD ...

I've seen intuos3 for 129$ pluss shipment on ebay, it's 4" x 5" big...is this a good one? Graphire4 4x5" A6 for around 102$ + shipment...Maybe some of you can clear up for me on what to buy for retouching

Thanks

Gerry

intous is the way to go, opt for the 6x8 one....4x5 will be just fine..and there is a bit of a learning curve to using it...give it a day and you will be cruising through images on it.

jimhob · #4 07-06-2007, 09:05 PM

I have the Graphire 6x8 and would probably upgrade if I used it more. i use it for minor details. I think it's a good investment. I actually think that I would prefer the smaller one because when I move the pen or mouse i would prefer to move it a small distance on the pad and it be a greater movement on the monitor. Hope that makes sense.

Doug Nelson · #5 07-06-2007, 11:19 PM

Unless you're adept at real life drawing and painting, the Wacom Intuos 3 4x5 will probably be ideal for you. I had an older model Wacom 4x5 and upgraded to the Intuos 3 6x8, which is a much better model, but the extra drawing space is just wasted on me.

pixelzombie · #6 07-06-2007, 11:25 PM

i had a 12X12 tablet on my beige G3 and i loved the large work area...i tried one at work that was 6X8 i believe and it seemed very small to me, but my preference is to have the pen work at a slow speed...you might be comfortable with a smaller tablet, but would get it 1 size larger than you think would be comfortable with as you can always limit the working space on the tablet surface...

superkoax · #7 07-07-2007, 04:01 PM

here is a new question for you all! Do they all come with pressure sensitivity? Witch models does? Is pressures sensitivity a good thing? Maybe someone can tell what I should look for? Is the new one from Wacom the bamboo model good? this is going for 80$...

Thanks for all the answer! I will go for a smaller one

Gerry

pixelzombie · #8 07-07-2007, 05:13 PM

all the wacoms do, but not all users even use the pressure sensitive settings...

c19h28O2 · #9 07-07-2007, 08:10 PM

When you get one, put your mouse away for a day or so to get used to it.

Excuse me if you already know this, but you will need to set the pressure sensitivity up in photoshop, in the brush options - and use other dynamics and lock it... (someone please correct me if i'm wrong on that)

Cheers

Michael

superkoax · #10 07-08-2007, 04:17 AM

C19(plus many numbers

) : As long as the pressure sensitivity is an option it's all good! I'm gonna use that straight away! So I don't have to learn this 6months after after getting the wacom...then it would be harder to learn since I have all ready developed a workflow with it

And thanks for the tips

Gerry

Andy Wright · #11 07-16-2007, 04:21 AM

This'll be one of my first posts (hi)

I've had my wacom pad (Intuos) A4 oversized for well over 6 years. Its a god send....no, really...

I use it literally everyday in my current position (along with Photoshop) editing marketing images from multiple companies to make sure they're 'clean' if you know what I mean (no messy edges). IMO this is where the Wacom stands head and shoulders above anything else on the market. If you used to do a lot of colouring as a kid, you'll pick Wacom's up, no problem (you'll see why when you get one).

This might not be the most informative of posts, but thats probably because I've not had enough coffee yet, lol.

Cheers
Andy

mrkb · #12 07-16-2007, 07:07 AM

Recently, I gave my wife my old Wacom tablet,(old 4x5 which was really showing signs of alot of use) and purchased a Manhattan tablet,6x8, for almost half of what I paid for the Wacom four years ago! Yes, Wacom is the leader in Tablets, but after reading posts in other forums from satisfied users, I bought the Manhattan, and am happy with it,,can't really tell any difference in operation,quality,sensitivity, or any other area of concern. Just thought I'd pass along,,it's an alternative worth looking into, if cost is an issue!

DCobb · #13 07-16-2007, 08:57 AM

I have a 9x12 tablet. Have both the pen and airbrush. Really enjoy the tablet as it gives me control in small spaces and makes things go faster. However, I only do this as a hobby for the fun of it.

Really enjoy seeing what the pros can do to pictures. Still learning.

dc

superkoax · #14 07-16-2007, 01:44 PM

mrkb: nice tip...I'm not the guy who runs of and buys wacom just because it's a wacom...If there is another contender out there I will look into it

thanks

Gerry