TABLETS: Wacom Intuos 4 - Medium vs Large

[Quantum3]

NOTE: I know this is not the right place to post this, but due that the TABLETS forum is like a ghost town, I'm obligated to post it here.

Admins, please, let it be for some days.

Thanks,

Mart

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Hi community, I'm attempting to buy a Wacom Intuos 4 Tablet and I need to know what's the difference between the large and the medium size. I have heard that there's a difference in the speed of the drag or something like that. I also have heard that the size will depend on the sizes of the images and monitor, stuff like that.

I have a 21" monitor and I work mainly with pictures taken with 24mp cameras such Canon 5DMKII and mostly for fashion and beauty.

Could you enlight me a bit what should I buy? Large or Medium?

Thank you all,

Mart

[flexmanta]

It does depend on the size of your monitor indeed. Think of it as a ratio between hand movement and cursor movement. If your tablet is 100% the size of your monitor, then, to move the cursor from one corner to the screen to the opposite one, you would have to move your hand... well, 21 inches (well, it also depends on resolution in this case, i dont know the resolution of a wacom tablet but i assume it tends to match your display's).

Knowing that, it's a matter of how you have been trained. Are you a hand painter or an arm painter? People who come from fine arts are very comfortable when not resting their hands on the tablet, as they are used to moving their whole arm across the canvas while their hand floats over it. For people who have worked mainly with the mouse since their beginnings in digital arts, it is not hard for them to "re-size" the required mouse drag to move the cursor from place to place. Our brains take care of the math.

I recommend you buy the medium tablet for it's a perfect "in between" size. You will have to move more than you do with a mouse, but not as much as for feeling like a beginner as you would with the large version. It's also better for your arm if you are gonna be working with it for long periods of time. You would also be saving some 150$... and it is more portable too. Trust me, it will not be a problem during your retouching/painting, as most of it will be done when zoomed into the image when the whole screen is displaying 200 or so pixels to be edited.

Also, let me point out that I'm not an intuos4 user. I have an intuos3. I have heard that the intuos4 has a great papery feel when used with the pen. The problem with this (i have read in other forums), is that the pen nib doesn't last too long as the tablet's surface is almost like sanding paper. Some people have used some plastic film to cover the sensor area so that the nibs last more, but then the feel is lost. Nibs are expensive, and no, older pens do not work with the intuos4 (or viceversa). Just consider getting an intuos3... i know, the pen sucks compared to the intuos4 with it's amazing new pressure sensitivity, but that's some research you're gonna have to do.

[Quantum3]

Thanks for the very large and informative text, Flexmanta. I'm hand drawing then. I used to draw a lot, but I have 5 years without grabbing a pen. I will use the tablet just to D&B and do basic stuff such interacting with the interface of Photoshop, cloning and such. I know what you say about the duration of the pen nib because I bought the most cheapest Genius Tablet long time ago and used it just very few times and the nib pen dissapeared. I think that was because the price of the tablet (something around $65usd). Also, the performance was very, very bad. Primarily because the delay in the tablet's response and the absolutely innacurated/unnacurated flow of the pressure. Few years ago I tryed a very small Bamboo and the difference was very, very big with the Genius one, around 1 year ago, I tryed another Wacom (cannot remember which model), but medium size and it worked pretty fine. I couldn't try it very much because its owner is left handed and his workstation was all set to his needs but the tablet was without any configuration. Unfortunately, in my state there are not digital tablets, so I have to buy it before try it, and wait a couple of week in order to get it. When I get it I will post here what happened.

Thanks,

Mart

[cebe]

Hi, I have used several Wacom tablets, and I think the "large" is intended for use with "wide" flat monitors, those with 9:16 or 10:16 ratio. to use with a CRT monitor (3:4) of 21", my preference goes to the A5 "normal" one. And for me, the intuos 3 has my preference. The papery feeling of the 4 is something I don't like, and it seems I'm not the only one! On another side, there is no comparison between Wacom and others. I simply cannot work without it.

[LQQKER]

I've used a few different sizes and my preference is the Wacom medium tablet, for a few reasons. Currently I still use a Wacom Intuos 2 (with the original nib I might add), I like the freedom of the larger size. When working with the cordless Wacom mouse, it sits on an area similiar to a normal mouse pad in size (that uses no batteries). Of course you can change your mouse speed to compensate for screen size.

All said and done, the main factor is your work area and if you have room for the medium size tablet. The outward dimensions of my tablet is about 13" X 10" with a workable area of 6" X 8", which is similiar to a small sketch pad (main reason for me). The new Intuos 4 is 14.6" X 10" outside dimensions, so work area is usually a factor depending on how you set it up. My setup is keeping my keyboard under my monitor and my Wacom on the sliding keyboard tray (or sometimes my lap). Been doing this for years and find it to be no problem and it is comfortable and natural for art work or retouching. I've never considered upgrading to a new medium tablet simply because my Intuos 2 works just fine. It has pressure sensitivity and works well with a light touch, just missing a few "bells and whistles". Seems it outlasted several computers

My monitor size is 24", which for me is more relevant for photoshop and not necessarily a factor for a larger tablet size. Often I have two images open at one time and the increased size makes things a bit more convenient but not essential.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by LQQKER

I've used a few different sizes and my preference is the Wacom medium tablet, for a few reasons. Currently I still use a Wacom Intuos 2 (with the original nib I might add), I like the freedom of the larger size. When working with the cordless Wacom mouse, it sits on an area similiar to a normal mouse pad in size (that uses no batteries). Of course you can change your mouse speed to compensate for screen size.

All said and done, the main factor is your work area and if you have room for the medium size tablet. The outward dimensions of my tablet is about 13" X 10" with a workable area of 6" X 8", which is similiar to a small sketch pad (main reason for me). The new Intuos 4 is 14.6" X 10" outside dimensions, so work area is usually a factor depending on how you set it up. My setup is keeping my keyboard under my monitor and my Wacom on the sliding keyboard tray (or sometimes my lap). Been doing this for years and find it to be no problem and it is comfortable and natural for art work or retouching. I've never considered upgrading to a new medium tablet simply because my Intuos 2 works just fine. It has pressure sensitivity and works well with a light touch, just missing a few "bells and whistles". Seems it outlasted several computers

My monitor size is 24", which for me is more relevant for photoshop and not necessarily a factor for a larger tablet size. Often I have two images open at one time and the increased size makes things a bit more convenient but not essential.

So the medium size is the one you use and find it cool? It sounds pretty nice! I already paid for the medium tablet, but I can cancel the order and ask for a larger size if that one is better. I have enough room here for medium and large, or I will do the room. The tablet is the main thing!

Thanks for your cool reply!

Mart

[girlsfather]

I use a medium format Wacom Intuos 4 for photoshop work.
And yes, the pen nibs wear down quite fast.
I think I need new nibs soon and a new coversheet as well.
I was told by a store that there is a different surface (coversheet clear) for the tablet.
But tec support wacom europe is not a big help in this case.
Look at their own forum and you see what I am talking about.

But even if I need more nibs and a new coversheet soon I think it is worth buying. (I had a intuos 2 before)
The tablet has the precision mode, that allows to select even a single pixel in 100% mode. So I do not miss the larger format.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by girlsfather

But even if I need more nibs and a new coversheet soon I think it is worth buying. (I had a intuos 2 before)
The tablet has the precision mode, that allows to select even a single pixel in 100% mode. So I do not miss the larger format.

Mmmhhh... What about the nib pen duration. Could you give me an aproximation of the duration? How many pictures you've retouched apporximately, till you found you would need a new nib?

[flexmanta]

Medium Intuos4 with the coversheet that you mention seems to be the best option. The increased pen sensitivity levels is something I just can't ignore. Especially for D&B jobs.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

Medium Intuos4 with the coversheet that you mention seems to be the best option. The increased pen sensitivity levels is something I just can't ignore. Especially for D&B jobs.

What do you mean with that, Flexmanta. Is that good or bad?

[girlsfather]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

Mmmhhh... What about the nib pen duration. Could you give me an aproximation of the duration? How many pictures you've retouched apporximately, till you found you would need a new nib?

It depends on the pressure - I would estimate that every 2-5 days with 8 hours work in Photoshop I would need a new one.
In fact I got a shock when I looked at the pen nib, having used the brandnew tablet 2 days. I try to use less pressure - good for my wrist too.
But you should use the factory settings there, as in other settings of the pressure the response is not linear (you can see a visualisation in the tablet driver)
I decided to use the nibs even if the tip is almost flat.
O course that will harm the surface sooner or later.
But changing the coversheet is no big deal.
10 pen nibs cost more than one coversheet.
Once the coversheet is ruined I will get a new one together with new nibs (if it really exists ;-)) I take the one with less friction.

[Quantum3]

Mmmmhhh... I really don't like that the nibs duration were so short! I cannot find a tablet in my state, imagine finding the parts such the covertsheet and the extra nibs!

What do you mean with

"I try to use less pressure - good for my wrist too.
But you should use the factory settings there".

What about the factory settings? Is that good or bad?

[flexmanta]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

What do you mean with that, Flexmanta. Is that good or bad?

I mean it's good. I was trying to put the main advantages with the only downside of it. Great great sensitivity against short durability of the nib. Seems that the solution is to plastic wrap the surface of the tablet.

If you notice with your current tablet, you can place a thin sheet of paper or plastic on your tablet and it will work perfectly. So, i would go ahead, ignore wacom's coversheet and just use some clear plastic film like the one used for laminating books or those plastic sheets they sell for color correcting flashes for photography (less rubbery than the ones for laminating books).

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

I mean it's good. I was trying to put the main advantages with the only downside of it. Great great sensitivity against short durability of the nib. Seems that the solution is to plastic wrap the surface of the tablet.

If you notice with your current tablet, you can place a thin sheet of paper or plastic on your tablet and it will work perfectly. So, i would go ahead, ignore wacom's coversheet and just use some clear plastic film like the one used for laminating books or those plastic sheets they sell for color correcting flashes for photography (less rubbery than the ones for laminating books).

Oh yeah, I know what kind of coverture you say. I hope the tablet doesn't frustrate me. I don't have $700usd every week to buy a new one. Unfortunately, I cannot buy something from USA due the rules from the US and Argentina, I saw it's half cheap in the US.

[flexmanta]

Medium intuos4 at just under 400€ here in Spain. And we don't have rules against shipping to Argentina I guess.
http://www.fnac.es/Wacom-INTUOS4-M-P...To=0&Nu=3&Fr=0

[girlsfather]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

Mmmmhhh... I really don't like that the nibs duration were so short! I cannot find a tablet in my state, imagine finding the parts such the covertsheet and the extra nibs!

What do you mean with

"I try to use less pressure - good for my wrist too.
But you should use the factory settings there".

What about the factory settings? Is that good or bad?

Sorry for not being precise.
I meant that the best settings in my opinion are the default settings for pressure.
Here the increase of pressure is linear from 1-100%.

The curves indicate that. With shapedynamics activated in Photoshop for the brush, the response is best in this linear curve - default - setting.
(With a soft setting I can not create the smaller part of the shapedynamic and with the hard setting it is hard to get the brush maximum size without really pushing too hard)

Bild 1.png

Bild 2.png

Bild 3.png

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

Medium intuos4 at just under 400€ here in Spain. And we don't have rules against shipping to Argentina I guess.
http://www.fnac.es/Wacom-INTUOS4-M-P...To=0&Nu=3&Fr=0

The problem also is the "aduana" (the place where you pay a duty for imported stuff). Here, the aduana use to retain the objects and sometimes they steal the stuff and forget going to the justice, because there is no justice. And the aduana is in Buenos Aires, that means around 700 Km away from my state (12-13 hours by bus and the ticket is very expensive), so usually, the buyer must go to the "aduana" in order to fill forms and who knows, fighting or something in order to get the product. And the duty is about %50. A total mess.

Btw, are you from Spain?

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by girlsfather

Sorry for not being precise.
I meant that the best settings in my opinion are the default settings for pressure.
Here the increase of pressure is linear from 1-100%.

The curves indicate that. With shapedynamics activated in Photoshop for the brush, the response is best in this linear curve - default - setting.
(With a soft setting I can not create the smaller part of the shapedynamic and with the hard setting it is hard to get the brush maximum size without really pushing too hard)

I see... Well... it's not a problem then. I thought the factory settings would deactivate some of the features, but I see it's not a problem. Now I know I will definitely not use hard settings. I hope the movement will be accurated in these settings. I thought a tablet would be less painly and more fun but well... will see.

Thanks for the snaopshots!

[MilanS]

I have used intuos4 Large in the past, but switched to medium size. I use it mostly for D&B and droving notes in photoshop. My personal preference is that I tend to use mouse, tablet & keyboard while I'm retouching. And I tend to switch between them all the time, so large tablet kind got in a way of me reaching the keyboard, since its almost twice as large as the medium. Also, when I was using it, moving my hand across the larger surface, got a bit tiresome. For example to get from models face to tools palette. So I reprogrammed the drawing surface on large tablet to be smaller. Witch is why I switched to medium tablet! And additional benefit that I got from medium size tablet, is that putting it away from the table, at least temporary (when I'm not using it, or writing e-mail, chating etc.), and moving it back again become much easier. I guess all this depends on your personal preference of use. Hope this helps. BTW both formats of tablet are highly customizible to suit your needs!

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by MilanS

I have used intuos4 Large in the past, but switched to medium size. I use it mostly for D&B and droving notes in photoshop. My personal preference is that I tend to use mouse, tablet & keyboard while I'm retouching. And I tend to switch between them all the time, so large tablet kind got in a way of me reaching the keyboard, since its almost twice as large as the medium. Also, when I was using it, moving my hand across the larger surface, got a bit tiresome. For example to get from models face to tools palette. So I reprogrammed the drawing surface on large tablet to be smaller. Witch is why I switched to medium tablet! And additional benefit that I got from medium size tablet, is that putting it away from the table, at least temporary (when I'm not using it, or writing e-mail, chating etc.), and moving it back again become much easier. I guess all this depends on your personal preference of use. Hope this helps. BTW both formats of tablet are highly customizible to suit your needs!

Ooooohhhhh............ Finally some fresh air... I thought I would be wasting my little money. You definitely give me happines and trust that all will work perfect! Yeah, I know nothing is perfect, but at the least, I have the illusion haha. However, your daily life example is enough to want the tablet now! But I have to wait till around friday or later.

Thanks a lot for your input,

Mart

[MilanS]

No problem, Mart!
Glad I could be of some assistance!

[flexmanta]

Yes i am from Spain. Trust me, being a gear-head, i have been thinking about getting an intuos4 myself. At the studio there are some huge intuos3 monsters... i don't like the size too much, but i guess that size is necessary for working the apple 30'' cinema display. When you use small tablets with huge high res monitors, it seems impossible to keep the cursor from wobbling when hovering it over the surface.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

Yes i am from Spain. Trust me, being a gear-head, i have been thinking about getting an intuos4 myself. At the studio there are some huge intuos3 monsters... i don't like the size too much, but i guess that size is necessary for working the apple 30'' cinema display. When you use small tablets with huge high res monitors, it seems impossible to keep the cursor from wobbling when hovering it over the surface.

Do you have a portfolio or something? I must say that you're the first spanish I meet that I feel interest to know more.

Mart

[flexmanta]

I don't have a portfolio at the moment. It hasn't been too long since i wanted to focus my career as a retoucher. So far i have done some photography for small clients, and i recently landed at a Spanish studio where I will be a photo assistant. My idea is to use it whenever the studio is free as well as offering my work to established photogs "pro bono" just to do that, get myself a decent portfolio. You know there are more photographers than there are retouchers... hehe.

[Quantum3]

Finally bought the tablet =D =D =D It ¡s another Universe working with this thing. I set it up to the less pressure, so the pen's nib duration will be longer, I just need the weight of the pen to draw But I'm thinking that the eraser of the pen is quite hard and due that, it can be used as the nib =D Should be a way to flip the functions of the pen, shouldn't it?

[flexmanta]

You a photog too? If so, Im sure you have some spare CTO flash gel sheet somewhere. Cut a rectangular piece and place it on the tablet to preserve the nib.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

You a photog too? If so, Im sure you have some spare CTO flash gel sheet somewhere. Cut a rectangular piece and place it on the tablet to preserve the nib.

Yeah, I'm an ocassional photographer, haha. I don't have big flashes or gels, but will see to buy a gel sheet. I'm confortable painting with a very low pressure, but will try that.

[dex blaze]

what would you guys say about getting m size intuos4 for 26" display?

i have worked with a4 intuos3 tablet with 30" cinema display earlier and found my hand getting tired with long lasting photoshop sessions (especially when clipping a lot with pen tool). SO i though to switch to smaller size to avoid such large movement and spare my hand.

my only concern is that if 26" is too large display for a5 size tablet.

[Quantum3]

Well... I have the medium sized and it works perfect in 21". Probably in 26" would work even better.

[Flashtones]

I use a small tablet with a 30" monitor. I don't think you should choose a tablet based on the size of your monitor so much as the size you like to draw at. If you're an illustrator who's used to drawing at a large scale you might want a large tablet, but for most retouching I like to keep my elbow on the armrest and just flick my fingers and wrist to get around rather than making sweeps of my arm.

Best is to buy from somewhere with a good return policy and try it out. I'd start smaller than you think and only move up if you need to.