Which pen tablet?

[satans worm]

Looking to purchase a Wacon pen tablet to assist in Photoshopping, the question is which one!
2 basic models, the Intuos photo and the intuos pro.
Then it's the size, small or medium.
It's going to be used with a 27 inch iMac for photo work only.
Is the pro worth the extra cash?
I don't mind spending the extra cash if it's bringing something to the table in real terms, anyone with hands on experience who can advise.
Also on size with use on 27 inch screen, is small ok or should I go for the medium?
Thanks

[steveatesh]

I use the Intuous basic tablet, it was around £50 last year, with an iMac 27 retina.

I have no problems at all with it, allows for accurate processing no problem.

However, this is not to say the pro version may not be better, just that the basic one is up to the job.

Best of luck with it.

[satans worm]

Was that the small or medium version?
One write up said you need to collate the size to your screen size, but didn't give any useful information with actual screen sizes!

[Pixel Pusher]

Intuos Pro is fantastic. You get programable quick keys on the tablet edge and a scroll wheel that allows you to rotate the image and change the brush size etc.

If you need all of the functionality of the Pro, it's a simple choice….but it all comes at a price.

If you're just getting started, you may find the basic one does everything you need and will do for a couple of years until you're ready to trade up.

Sizewise, as you say, all you have to do is configure the tablet area to the screen area. It'll even work on a 2 screen set up if you use a slave monitor for your tool palettes.

A small tablet with a large screen can be a bit tricky to get used to as a small move on the tablet makes the cursor shoot across the screen. This was particularly tricky on the A5 tablets.

Personally, as a starter, I'd go for the cheaper tablet if it comes in at around the A4 / medium size. That on a 27" iMac will be absolutely fine I'd say.

Can't go wrong with a Wacom.

[steveatesh]

satans worm said:

Was that the small or medium version?
One write up said you need to collate the size to your screen size, but didn't give any useful information with actual screen sizes!

Its the Intros pen Small.

It works with the 27" screen no problem. In the set up page you go through a process of aligning the active part of the pad to the four corners of the screen.

edited to add that I personally have experienced no problem using it, even doing things like eye iris enhancement or delicately getting rid of double chins (to allow photos to be seen by others )

The pad has the quick buttons too, but no scroll wheel, the pen is pressure sensitive though and you can set it up to adjust the size of the brush if your software allows it (e.g. Photoshop, PaintShop Pro) so as you use the pen extra pressure will make your brush larger and vice versa.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for but I have no problems with it.

Edited by steveatesh on Saturday 6th February 19:52

[Derek Smith]

I've got a Bamboo CLT-470. Had it for possibly 3 years.

Wouldn't be without it for picture editing. That said, it is A6 and I find myself wishing for an A5. I can get around the problem by enlarging the image and at £280, the A5 size is pricey.

The pad/pen have been very reliable but the software can be a bit problematical when there's a Windows upgrade.

Highly recommended. I use it instead of a mouse for much of the time in video editing as well.

[satans worm]

Thanks, I actually went to the shops ti buy the medium sized basic version, but typically they only had the medium pro in stock, so being compulsive, just got that instead, best laid plans and all that.
Hopefully start to use it next week and see how i get on with it
Thanks for the comments