Input Tablets - Do you use one ?

[Alpha_7]

So I've traditionally been a keyboard and mouse kind of guy, but I've been giving increased thought into the use of a tablet, like a wacom but I've never even tried one before so am I just lusting after another piece of kit I won't get the best out of it ?

I've read that the hardest part is getting used to it at first, but once you change you open up a new world of efficiency and ease of use ? I was also wondering if it only really helps out in photoshop or if you'd see a benefit in lightroom (I'd think not as much as lightroom is FULL of sliders) ?

But I'm keen to hear from those that use them, or have used them - what has your experience been ?

Thanks,
Craig

[radar]

Craig,

I use the Wacom Intuos 4. I use it in Photoshop and Capture NX2. I find that when doing any masking, it is so much better then using a mouse. When I use the tablet, I also use the mouse that it comes with, for me, that works better. Once you get used to using a tablet, I also found that I started using more keyboard shortcuts, really speeded my workflow from that aspect of things.

I don't use lightroom, so can't comment on that aspect of it.

If you don't want to go the Intuos way, ie more $$, the wacom bamboo is also a good alternative to get started with a tablet. I had an Aldi tablet special and you are welcome to borrow that if you want a try out a tablet before buying.

cheers,

André PS: got mine in the US and saved a fair bit at the time, October last year.

[Murray Foote]

I've used one for some years. A pen and a tablet are good for masks in Photoshop but I still use a mouse (and a keyboard) which I find much quicker for menu selection. Not as much use in Lightroom because Lightroom masks are relatively primitive.

[chrisk]

i use a tablet exculsively for photo editing. i had never used one until i bought it about 6months ago. took me all of a couple of days for it to be completely second nature to me to the point where using a mouse and keyboard for editing photos to me seems very clunky, slow and primitive.

[surenj]

A pen and a tablet are good for masks in Photoshop

Yep. Any photographer in the 21st century should be using at least some masks and it is way easier to use complex masking with a tablet. Some people however can use a very high resolution mouse or masking but I think those are a minority. Tablet is much more intuitive to use for fine movements and pressure sensitivity....

For lightroom, a tablet is more of a hindrance really...

I have my tablet (Wacom Bamboo) AND mouse plugged in all the time so have the best of both worlds.

[Marvin]

I have a bamboo and love it. I find it so much easier for fiddly bits when editing.

[aim54x]

Im thinking about a Bamboo....

[ozimax]

I use wacom intuos 4 (6x4 inch). It's excellent for masks & general purpose photoshopping. Takes an hour or so to get used to it. Thoroughly recommended. Ozi

[malificentmuse]

Fujitsu T5010 with a wacom screen

[FrankieP]

I have recently bought the Wacom Intuos 4 as well, the small size, and it's fabulous. I bought it for my graphic design work and illustration but am really looking forward to learning how to get the most of it with Photoshop too. I'm still learning Ps right now, I'm working through a couple of good instructional texts I bought, so am going to use the Wacom from now on so that I learn using the program with the tablet from the start.

The tablet is very easy to get using though, I've only had a couple of goes so far and it's really intuitive to use, though I don't have a mouse with it and so need to remember to treat the entire tablet as the screen rather than 'mousing' with the pen!

[gstark]

I use wacom intuos 4 (6x4 inch). It's excellent for masks & general purpose photoshopping. Takes an hour or so to get used to it. Thoroughly recommended. Ozi

I should pull out my Bamboo again.

The primary issue that I see is that the stylus works when it's just a few millimeters above the tablets surface - not necessarily making contact with it - and I find that that's rather difficult to become accustomed to.

[Mj]

I have an intuos4 and find a combination of it together with keyboard and mouse works well... though takes up valuable space given my office organisational style (read chaotic). The tablet does a great job where masking and other freeform editing is required, and in any illustration work, is the only way to go. But I find it takes quite some getting use to and, like Gary, the fact that it navigates without the stylus actually touching the tablet, feels strange.
I still find, for a quick edit job, I grab the mouse first... but maybe that's just a reinforced bad habit from years of rodent abuse.

[sirhc55]

Have one, and don’t use it.

[Wink]

I've been eyeing one of these off for sooo long!

Is 6x4 the preferred size? Or is bigger better, providing you've got the room?
Does your entire screen translate to the tablet or only the image?

[chrisk]

I've been eyeing one of these off for sooo long!

Is 6x4 the preferred size? Or is bigger better, providing you've got the room?
Does your entire screen translate to the tablet or only the image?

the tablet represents the whole screen. alot of people swear by the 6x4, i dont particularly like it cos its too small.

[Mr Darcy]

Have a Wacomm Intuos3. Never really got it working properly on the Mac. so I don't use it anymore

Or is bigger better, providing you've got the room?

Bigger is much much better.
Also, get one that matches your screen shape. Otherwise there will be a dead area on either the screen or tablet.

[ATJ]

Any photographer in the 21st century should be using at least some masks and it is way easier to use complex masking with a tablet.

Really? I must be so last century.

[aim54x]

Any photographer in the 21st century should be using at least some masks and it is way easier to use complex masking with a tablet.

Really? I must be so last century.

Me too!!! Masking.....wah? Control points!!!