Need tablet recommendation

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Archive 2008 · Need tablet recommendation

jcbradshaw
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p.1 #1 · Need tablet recommendation

I'm a part-timer doing weddings, portraits and such. I'm considering getting off the mouse and onto a tablet. Don't want to, or need to, spend a fortune, but definitely want something that will make post processing faster and better.

Thinking maybe Wacom Intuos 3, either 6x8 or 9x12, but I'm open to other ideas.

Your comments and recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:03 PM

paulhodson
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p.1 #2 · Need tablet recommendation

The theory is a larger tablet for a larger screen - but I am happily using a 5x4 with a 24" screen.

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:15 PM

jcbradshaw
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p.1 #3 · Need tablet recommendation

I was just reading some reviews and someone talked about using the 9x12 configured for dual monitors. I use a 21" CRT for the image and put the tools on a 19" CRT.

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:19 PM

howardm4
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p.1 #4 · Need tablet recommendation

it's a personal thing. I have the 6x8 on a 24" screen and only use a small part of it, otherwise I feel like I'm moving my elbow too much. Same reason I have my mouse set to fairly high sensitivity.

From much of what I've read on the net, it seems like a significant % of people who buy large tablets essentially regret the choice.

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:24 PM

RDKirk
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p.1 #5 · Need tablet recommendation

First, a Wacom tablet of any size is such an immense improvement for image editing, that you won't have gone wrong whichever you choose. All of them get you 90 percent to Paradise. The last 10 percent is a matter of taste.

The larger tablets are better if you like to make large moments "from the elbow" or even "from the shoulder" like brush strokes. People who intend to use Painter would do well with the largest tablet.

People who prefer to make pencil-like movements--small and tightly controlled--do better with smaller tablets.

I've been using a 5x4 tablet for years for photo-editing, and I haven't seen a need for anything larger. It's also small on my desktop and easy to stash in my laptop case.

I also use three monitors, but I would not try to squeeze all of them into my tablet. I commonly use one monitor for the image I'm editing, so I have the tablet set only for that one. Also, for me the tablet only supplements image editing--I still use mouse and even keyboard for other tasks.

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:27 PM

jcbradshaw
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p.1 #6 · Need tablet recommendation

VERY helpful info!

Dec 27, 2008 at 07:50 PM

Bifurcator
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p.1 #7 · Need tablet recommendation

I'm in the bigger is better crowd. There are umpteen ways to use a tablet and many of the stroke and usage styles are just not possible on anything smaller than 9x12. So if you want to severely limit how you can use the device then get a small one - if not get the bigger one.

I have mine configured for dual 24" monitors but maybe not in the usual way. I have one pen for the right monitor and another pen for the left monitor. I set a few apps to specifically allow each pen different functions across both monitors but mostly it's a pen-per-monitor setup. It works well for me.

Dec 28, 2008 at 02:21 AM

UCSB
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p.1 #8 · Need tablet recommendation

I use a 4x5" Intuos3 ... only use a portion of the tablet on my 26" monitor. Small tablets are the most convenient. I also have a 4x5" Intuos3 on my 16" notebook.

Good luck,
Bill.

Dec 29, 2008 at 06:27 AM

Peano
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p.1 #9 · Need tablet recommendation

jcbradshaw wrote:Thinking maybe Wacom Intuos 3, either 6x8 or 9x12, but I'm open to other ideas.

The 4x6 might be plenty big enough. Some discussion here about size:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=27259003

Dec 29, 2008 at 02:55 PM

jcbradshaw
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p.1 #10 · Need tablet recommendation

Peano wrote:
jcbradshaw wrote:Thinking maybe Wacom Intuos 3, either 6x8 or 9x12, but I'm open to other ideas.

The 4x6 might be plenty big enough. Some discussion here about size:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=27259003

Based on discussions and reviews, I just ordered the 4x6. Thanks for all the input!

Dec 29, 2008 at 03:43 PM

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