Need Entry-Level Wacom Tablet

[Ronald]

I checked the forum in case this thread already exists, but I didn't see any.

I'm looking to buy my first Wacom tablet for digital illustration use in Photoshop and Illustrator. So far, I'm considering a Bamboo or Graphire 3. I'd like to spend around $50, so I've been checking eBay for used but like-new tablets for a good price. Don't worry; I have experience in this.

I'm also curious about drawing space. I know I don't need a huge amount, but I'm also not sure 4x5 is quite enough. Something like 4x6 would make me a bit more comfortable. I don't tend to make big strokes though in terms of real pencil drawing.

I found a 4x5 Graphire 3, complete and in "great condition," with a Buy it Now of $40, but I didn't make up my mind and it ended with no purchases. I might email them to post it back up. Here's the eBay page:

Wacom Graphire 3 tablet 4x5 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Wacom-Graphire-3-tablet-4x5-CTE-430-software-mouse-pen_W0QQitemZ400061111268QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mi ce_Trackballs?hash=item5d25801be4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C 293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

[Kelvyn]

Sometime next month I'll be ordering a Bamboo MTE450KEN which has had really good reviews over here. It is available for around £50 which is a pretty good price for us.

I still have a Wacom Graphire tablet bought in the days of Windows 95 - it must be at least 12 years old now, but has inferior resolution compared to current models.

[terrie]

That's a good price for the Graphire which looks like it's been replaced by the Bamboo as the entry level tablet. I was going to suggest taking a look at Wacom's refurbs on their site but the page won't load so nevermind...'-}}

Aside from the price difference (which is significant), the biggest difference between the Graphire and the Intuos is the levels of pressure sensitivity--the Intuos has 2048 vs. 512 for the Graphire--and so it depends on what you will be doing with the tablet.

I used my Intuos primarily in Painter where the extra levels of pressure sensitivity are very useful however, given the kinds of things I do in Photoshop (general photo imaging work and photo restoration), probably 512 would work just fine.

I have the 6x8 Intuos but I think you'd probably do fine with the 4x5...

Given the ebay price, I think it's worth getting and if you find later that you want either a larger tablet or a more sophisticated tablet, you could always upgrade and I'll bet you could sell the Graphire for what you paid for it...

By the way, I've never used the mouse that came with my Intuos because I'm left handed but I use a mouse (a Logitech wireless mouse) right handed and my tablet stylus in my left hand--you should see the cursor get schizophrenic when I try to use both simultaneously...'-}}

Hope that helps...

Terrie

[Benwiggy]

I use the Wacom Bamboo (not the One or Fun, just "Bamboo"), and I love it. I wouldn't go back to a mouse now. It's great in Photoshop, Illustrator and other apps.
The A6 area is quite sensitive enough. It maps to the entire screen area, and once you get the hang of it, it's a dream.

[ktinkel]

I use the Wacom Bamboo (not the One or Fun, just "Bamboo"), and I love it. I wouldn't go back to a mouse now. It's great in Photoshop, Illustrator and other apps.
The A6 area is quite sensitive enough. It maps to the entire screen area, and once you get the hang of it, it's a dream.Do you use the Bamboo instead of a mouse for everything? Or just for drawing.

[Benwiggy]

Do you use the Bamboo instead of a mouse for everything? Or just for drawing.
Everything!
My mouse is consigned to the drawer of former things.

The pen has a two-button rocker switch: one for right-click; one for scrolling. (Hold down the scroll button and drag the pen in any direction.)
There are configurable buttons on the tablet itself, too. You just hover the pen about above the tablet to move, and click by touching the tablet.
You learn not to drag the cursor: because the tablet area represents the entire screen, just "dot" the pen in a completely different part to click somewhere else!

[ktinkel]

Interesting. I think Ann does that too.

I have an elderly Wacom 6X8 here, but I do not think I used it successfully at all. But I am having some wrist problems, and was thinking of trying again. Maybe I should get a Bamboo and give it another try. Do you have the cordless pen?

[terrie]

kt: have an elderly Wacom 6X8 here, but I do not think I used it successfully at all.I wonder if you might do better with the 4x5 tablet as I would think the 6x8 would be ungainly to use all the time--I always use my 6x8 Intuos2 in my lap with the upper edge against my desktop but I'm using it to draw and paint with so maybe that makes a difference.

I've never used it in lieu of my mouse but that may be because I use my mouse in my right hand and my stylus in my left...'-}}

Terrie

[ktinkel]

I just decided to try it. My right wrist is driving me crazy, and I have heard from many users that the pen/tablet is less irritating than the mouse. Since I wasn’t sure, I went (somewhat) cheap and ordered the Bamboo Fun small. That way, if I fail with it again, at least I won’t feel terribly stupid; and if I like it but feel constrained, then I can get something larger or better.

Or so it seems. My hand is really bothering me, and my doctor won’t let me take ibuprofen for a while, so I can’t cheat. :(

May have it this weekend.

[terrie]

kt: ordered the Bamboo Fun small.Let us know what you think...I'm quite curious...

Terrie

[ktinkel]

Let us know what you think...I'm quite curious...You know I will! :)

[annc]

Interesting. I think Ann does that too.

I have an elderly Wacom 6X8 here, but I do not think I used it successfully at all. But I am having some wrist problems, and was thinking of trying again. Maybe I should get a Bamboo and give it another try. Do you have the cordless pen?Yes, I've been using a Wacom for everything since a bad bout of tennis elbow in the mid nineties. I'm on my third, with the current one being a Graphire (I think) cordless.

[terrie]

kt: You know I will! :)Indeed...'-}}

Terrie

[ktinkel]

Yes, I've been using a Wacom for everything since a bad bout of tennis elbow in the mid nineties. I'm on my third, with the current one being a Graphire (I think) cordless.I just got the Bamboo. Will set it up and see if I can figure out how to use it. It is much simpler (and less capable, no doubt) than the one I had; that might be a plus for me at this point.

[terrie]

kt: I just got the Bamboo.Wow! That was quick...

Terrie