Should i buy a wacom tablet

[frank williams]

Was wondering if i should buy a wacom tablet and if so which one should i buy,
I use a mouse at the moment and would like to get in retouching. I have not really done that much retouching and would like some tips on were to start.
I would like to retouch people. I have just ordered The High End Retouching DVD from digital photoshop retouching.com Is this a good starting point. The wacom tablet i am looking at is the Wacom Intuos3 SE A5 Wide Tablet, Pen and Airbrush Mac/Win.
Regards frank williams

[jagerman]

The question is, why would you not buy a tablet. Get what ever you can afford.

Tip, practice!

[Tom K]

Hi Frank;

I am using the Wacom Intuos3 6x8 about 50% of the time.
It is super for most of the things that I do in Photoshop, it comes with
a mouse that for me is a waste of time. If you get one take the time to setup
the switches and slide for your style of work..
Tom

[TommyO]

Frank,
There was a post not too long ago about the same subject. You should probably read it also. (Link to other post.)

Opinions seem to vary greatly, as with any hardware purchase. Opinions seem to relate to your budget and your intent. Personally, my computer gear is a big hobby of mine, so budget is not a big concern... I like toys ! I have a Wacom Intuos 3 6x11. It works great and the aspect ratio matches the screen, which is a great benefit. I'm sure a less expensive one would work just fine. I simply don't like to take the time and effort to tweak lessor known hardware, just to find out later I need to replace it.

[diggnikon]

If your going to retouch for a career get yourself a tablet.

My first time i was like OMG how do i use it without it just flying across my screen ?
Now i cant live without it - it travels with me daily and its the best tool you will ever invest in.

[jimlafferty]

It is without a doubt a necessary purchase if you intend to be serious about your work, about optimizing your time, but also about making the work enjoyable.

I have the Intuos3 6x8.

[ashphotoart]

I would recommend Bamboo fun tablet. it's too good.

If you have more lower budget that go with i-Ball.

Ash

[Anneke]

Any difference between the Bamboo and Bamboo fun?
If you already have a mouse (deuh!) and some photoshop(-like) software?

[garibaldi]

Originally Posted by frank williams

Was wondering if i should buy a wacom tablet?
Regards frank williams

FUCK YES

Get one, get used to it, and then let us know if you think if you didnt have it.

[anothermethod]

Wacom-only if you ask me. They are THAT much better than any other tablet. Wacom is known solely for their tablets and there's a reason for that. They ARE the best! Anyway, even a 6x8 Intuos2 would suit you well for retouching. I have a 6x8 2 and a 6x8 3 and I've always loved them both. You also need a pretty high-end computer when using a tablet to avoid lag, but other than that, getting use to it is the only issue anyone usually has. The *bonus* (in my opinion) with using the tablet is when you're doing something like dodging or burning at 10%, you also have the pressure sensitivity of the wacom to reduce the amount when you need to. They're great, and for $200-$300 max, you will be more than happy with your spending.

[DCobb]

YES! They are great!

dc

[Atom Kat]

It has saved my hands. (RSI)
I use a wacom with my right hand and the mouse in my left (I am right handed) for things like levels etc And thank goodness for key short cuts!

Like the others have said, it can take a little while to get used too, so give yourself a few days before writing it off. Once you are used to using one, you'll love it.

[anothermethod]

Originally Posted by Atom Kat

Like the others have said, it can take a little while to get used too, so give yourself a few days before writing it off.

No, it's USED right when you open the packaging!

[gmitchel]

I love my Intuos II tablet. The one essential accessory is the airbrush pen. It is perfect for dodging ang burning, enhancing lighting effects, etc.

It taskes some getting used to, but once you do, you'll realize that a tablet and pen tool is much better for retouching than rolling a marble (or laser) around your desktop.

Cheers,

Mitch

[Jduran133]

I have a wacom intuos3 12x19. Amazing I tell ya. Ever have the feeling you want to just take a picture out of the screen....and just tap a little shadow here and there or lightly dodge something...thats how i would say it feels with that tablet and pen. I think its really cool, although I have to say, I used to have a BAMBOO fun medium, and its just not the same as a 12x19. =P But it still does the job.

[sidhebeauty]

Absolutely you should buy one. In addition to greater control with pressure sensitive settings, I have found that I am faster using the wacom pad (it's a more natural wrist movement) and it puts less stress on my wrist so less worries about carpal tunnel (at least if you do as much work as I do.

I started out cheap, Wacom Graphire was about $80 online. Will probably move up to better aspect ratio later, but this one works great anyway.

[Dave.Cox]

I started with a couple of used Graphire tablets, one for home and one for the office. I liked it so much that I recently upgraded my home to the Intuos 3. I love it. For Photoshop, I would say that it is essential. I also use a lot of other applications though, and I find that the pen isn't always the best tool for some of the other apps. Especially if you go back and forth between the keyboard and the mouse a lot. For those times the included mouse is great. And even in photoshop, I find there are some things that sometimes I like the mouse for. What's even better, you can set the mouse to the pen mode, so the mouse never runs off of the pad.
If you do like to use a pointer like a track ball, or other mouse, you can still use whatever you prefer, and it can co-exist with the tablet. You can even set your mouse settings independently. So if you want, you can have the best of both worlds.
If you are worried about the cost for something you may not like, consider checking for a used one on Ebay. Sometimes you can find them there for a good price. And don't forget to check the Wacom site. I have seen them sell refurbished units at a considerable discount.

[frank williams]

Hi all,
I decided to buy the wacom intuos3 and it fantasic and got used to it straight away.
Thanks for all your help in deciding which one to get.
Regards frank williams

[Fade To Black]

I have an Intuos, awesome little thing, opens up so many posssibilities.

However, I have to say, the most-used tool in my arsenal is a Razer Pro|Solutions mouse. It's insanely flexible for a mouse, with a great on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment.

http://www.razerzone.com/p-99-proclick-v16.aspx

Well worth it, even if you do have a tablet! It's the only mouse I'll edit with

[David John]

I purchased an Intuos3 6x8 about six months ago...its still in the box!! I have my current workflow down to a science, I'm afraid the learning curve switching to a tablet will slow me down and I'll fall behind on the projects I have.

One day I hope to at least open the package. LOL

[garibaldi]

Originally Posted by David John

I purchased an Intuos3 6x8 about six months ago...its still in the box!! I have my current workflow down to a science, I'm afraid the learning curve switching to a tablet will slow me down and I'll fall behind on the projects I have.

One day I hope to at least open the package. LOL

youre the type of guy who would probably buy a Ferrari and leave it in your garage because your afraid of how it may affect your driving style because you're so used to driving your Volvo

[JavierT]

Hi everybody:

I have been working with wacom for a long time, and I can´t understand retouch without it. And today I am very happy, because I have just received my new wacom intuos3 A5 wide special edition, black, black, black. Is wonderfull.

Just a couple days of practice with the expresskeys.

[David John]

Originally Posted by garibaldi

youre the type of guy who would probably buy a Ferrari and leave it in your garage because your afraid of how it may affect your driving style because you're so used to driving your Volvo

Well, lets put it this way...

If choosing to drive the Ferrari made me late to a photo shoot because I didn't know how, nor had never attempted, to drive a standard transmission and I subsequently lost a client because of it...then you're absolutely right, I'd leave it in the garage!!

I'm a Firefighter/Paramedic by trade, and I do photography in my spare time. I did it mostly as a hobby, but last year while shooting a local high school football game one of the parents asked me to do a family portrait. They loved the photos and referred me for a friend's wedding. My name got passed around and business increased at an exponential rate!! I have enough jobs to do photography full-time, but I absolutely LOVE my "day job" and have no intention of quiting. So until things slow down (and I'm sure eventually they will) I just dont have the time to re-learn my workflow process.

[Ed Chadwick]

Intuis III 6 X 8 here. Love it. Ive got my buttons set up to my liking and it works great.

[garibaldi]

Originally Posted by David John

Well, lets put it this way...

If choosing to drive the Ferrari made me late to a photo shoot because I didn't know how, nor had never attempted, to drive a standard transmission and I subsequently lost a client because of it...then you're absolutely right, I'd leave it in the garage!!

I'm a Firefighter/Paramedic by trade, and I do photography in my spare time. I did it mostly as a hobby, but last year while shooting a local high school football game one of the parents asked me to do a family portrait. They loved the photos and referred me for a friend's wedding. My name got passed around and business increased at an exponential rate!! I have enough jobs to do photography full-time, but I absolutely LOVE my "day job" and have no intention of quiting. So until things slow down (and I'm sure eventually they will) I just dont have the time to re-learn my workflow process.

Then put it this way, it would sort of be like you going to fight a fire where youd always show up and yank a garden hose out of your trunk and screw it onto the homes spigot and start spraying away, and then some day someone tells you about this thing that out called a 3inch fire hose and master spray fanning nozzle that can dump 250 GPM on your fires, and all you reply is, "Well, Im sort of already in a rush when I arrive at the scene to get my Home Depot kink free garden hose hooked up and start dousing away, so anything different than that that I would have to learn would disrupt my workflow and slow me down"

Its sort of a good analogy, the tablet really is THAT good of a tool, and trust me, it wont slow you down AT ALL. Tell you what, if it does, Ill buy it from you!

[Dave.Cox]

David, I would say, hook it up and set it up, but leave your old mouse connected. They will both play together just fine. Try the new when you feel like it, and the old when your prefer. I'd be willing to bet, it won't take long for you to warm up to the Wacom.

[bpurvis]

I need to switch my tablet to my other computer. It's on the one I do less retouching on and I've never really used it to capacity. I really never used the buttons, and the pressure sensitivity seemed a little odd - really skinny brushes instead of normal size. Maybe I need to press harder?

I think it's hard to find space for a keyboard and tablet.
Where do you place your tablet in reference to your keyboard?
And is the air brush pen different than the one that came in the box?

I have the 6x8 Intuos 3 -- sadly under used. You have inspired me to switch it to my other computer learn to use it. I bought it because I have severe hand and wrist problems and I'm an idiot for not using it!

[Tareq]

I have intuos3 9x12 bought on March 2009 followed with intuos4 small model on April 2009, i don't use both of them, i know they are fun and nice and making it easier for most of your graphics and drawing and photos workflow but still i don't get used to it, i need to work with hard things to use this tablet, but i edit my photos with minimal processing that i can do with mouses in fe seconds or minutes, always avoiding the complicated things even with Tablet i will never do it properly, but it seems i have to decide seriously to use it again and have an intensive practice with it.