Graphics tablet. Wacom. - DPChallenge Forums

04/16/2005 06:35:18 PM · #1

I'm looking to treat myself to a new toy. I have been saving up for a few years and have been working my butt off lately so I've been looking into the Wacom tablets. I would be using it for photo editing and possibly a little drawing. I have about $200 to spend. Might could get that to $250, but I'm looking at a few other things I've been lusting over (iPod, photo printer).

Does anyone here use one; how does it work for you? Which do you recommend? Or have you found a lesser known brand that works just as well?

Also I'm currently using GIMP becuase I'm too cheap to buy something and I love GIMP. How do tablets work with it?

Thanks for any replies.
jessicagrace

Pug-H

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

04/16/2005 06:44:50 PM · #2

I've been looking at Wacom Tablets too. In fact, I was in the store yesterday wondering whether to take the plunge or wait until next week when a new branch of a famous Tokyo camera store opens. There's a deal that includes Photoshop Elements 3, but I don't know if there's an option to instal it in English rather than Japanese.

PollyBean

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/16/2005 06:53:27 PM · #3

I have a really old wacom penpartner tablet and it's brilliant. Never gave me any trouble. It works with everything as a mouse, and some graphics software can understand hard/light pressure and draw accordingly. The newer tablets probably have much better resolution than my one but I don't think they improve on it by much (could be wrong). Maybe you could try a cheap/used one before shelling out on the top model.

P

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/16/2005 06:57:12 PM · #4

There have been several threads about graphics tablets. Sadly, the search function is down, and I can't find the one I am thinking of.
Here are a couple of others, anyway:
thread 1
thread 2

There are many others with some really useful information in them, just browse around the forums.

RedOak

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/16/2005 07:35:54 PM · #5

I've shopped a lot for one of those in the near futur, and Wacom is the best i could find for my needs. I tried some at work and finally decided on the Intuos3 6x8. Its not too big, but not too small either and gives you plenty of space to work on. Its very precise and works flawlessly with Photoshop, Paintshop and all those other graphix programs.

I highly recommend it.

//www.wacom.com/productinfo/6x8.cfm
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Sandman

Nikon D200

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

04/16/2005 08:19:35 PM · #6

I have the 9x12 Intuos3. since i have the room for it and i do photo touch-ups as well as inking and my own sketches. I've had it for 3 months no problems.

I would recommend the Wacom Line.

blemt

Nikon D70

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

04/16/2005 08:37:32 PM · #7

Love mine, adore in matter of fact. I use the Wacom Graphire and it works just great for my needs. I hate editing images without it. The only problem- the cats steal the pen.

:D

Clara

NovaTiger

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II for Canon

04/16/2005 09:12:04 PM · #8

I have a friend who uses a tablet and promises me that once you switch to a tablet, you never want to go back to a mouse again. She uses here tablet for everything--even common browsing! I, too have been looking at tablets.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

04/16/2005 09:41:18 PM · #9

What is everyone's opinion on size?
Is the 6x8 worth the extra $$? Or is the 4x5 sufficent?

soup

Canon EOS-30D

04/16/2005 09:53:21 PM · #10

get the 4x5 intuous over the graphire3 6x8 for the same money.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

04/16/2005 09:56:34 PM · #11

Also the Intuos comes with PS Elements 3 while the Graphire only has 2. Should this matter?

soup

Canon EOS-30D

04/16/2005 10:00:50 PM · #12

yes - do some research.

the intuos has programable buttons, the graphire3 doesn't. elements 3 has curves - 2 doesn't.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/16/2005 10:01:15 PM · #13

If you're just doing moderate amounts of re-touching and making masks, the smaller one is probably fine. I have two 4x5's I bought in 1995 which I still use.

If you plan to create artwork; painting, drawing, illustrating, then probably the biggest you can afford would help, especially one of these.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/16/2005 10:05:15 PM · #14

besides photoshop, I think the Wacom tablet is the other important tool to have as a photographer.

I have the 6x8 Wacom Intuous 2. I personally think if you go any smaller than 6x8 you may wish you had gone bigger. My 6x8 meets my goals, but sometimes it gets frustrating to have to remember to stay within the tablets boundaries to use tools. the bigger the tablet the bigger the boundaries.

NovaTiger

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II for Canon

04/17/2005 08:52:44 PM · #15

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Yeah, and for only 3 GRAND, too!

Sheesh! 3 grand!?! It looks like it would be really helpful, but for that price!?

faidoi

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/17/2005 09:06:09 PM · #16

Not too great for left handed users. I have a Wacom Graphire 3 but right handed so no problems here.

Message edited by author 2005-04-17 23:03:19.

Pug-H

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

04/17/2005 10:17:24 PM · #17

Well, I took the plunge and bought a Wacom Favo 430 yesterday, with the Photoshop Elements 3 (seeing that I could use my points card for a discount...). I haven't used it extensively yet, but...

When I installed PSE3, it gave the option to instal it in any language, so naturally I chose English. But it somehow overrode my choice and installed it in Japanese (as it was a Japanese disc in the first place) - so now I have to do my editing in Japanese (of course, it updated PsE1, so I can't use that anymore.)

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

04/17/2005 10:19:27 PM · #18

Originally posted by faidoi:

Not to great for left handed users. I have a Wacom Graphire 3 but right handed so no problems here.

I have found them useless, and maybe because I am left-handed. I went into an Apple store and tried the biggest, best they had, and still no luck. I had bought a smaller one, but gave up. Too bad, because they sound great for the folks who can use them correctly.

04/17/2005 11:00:20 PM · #19

Thanks so much for all the replies. You guys are great!

I've been doing more research. (I have issues spending money, guess that's a good thing) And I came across Adesso cybertablets. Has anyone here seen/used one of these? I haven't heard anything about them, but they are cheaper and seem to be somewhat comparable to the Graphire3 which is what I will get if I go with Wacom.

faidoi