Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hello guys,

Does anyone know where one can do hands on testing of Wacom tablets?

I am finding myself doing more and more complex work in Photoshop and using mouse sometimes is just extremely frustrating, especially for fine details.
Not sure that I am ready financially to buy a tablet, but at least need to know what I should be considering.

Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, sometimes Wacom shows up at the Henry's Digital Imaging Show, which is coming up this Fall. In addition, they might also be appearing during Design City, which is generally a trade show for print houses.

I was kind of in the same boat as you. I didn't want to drop $300+ on a tablet without ever using one. I ended up getting a cheapo tablet on sale:

http://www.factorydirect.ca/catalog/pro ... ode=DP8600

And playing around with it for a few weeks. This kind of tablet obviously doesn't compare to a Wacom, but it gives you a feel for how workflow will go with a tablet at your side. After a week or two, I sold the cheapo tablet on kijiji for $20 and got a Wacom.

Good idea, might be the only reason to go to Henry's show again


That is quite an advertisement for Wacom!
I would rather try the real deal right away. No need to test it at home for extended time, I should be able to get the idea on workflow even playing with it at some expo or store.

Try futureshop. They should have a return policy if you're unhappy with it or want to upgrade to a better model.

Like bartimus said, dont bother with the cheapo brands. The bamboo line seems quite reasonably priced at under 100 to start. I still have my graphire from 10 yrs ago and still works perfectly.

I've had a Wacom for years,but I bought a Razer Naga 2 months ago and haven't used my wacom since...

Wacom is definitely your friend if you like to draw. Most people just don't need it. Those who do think they need it soon realize they don't...

Gee, I think I've owned 7 tablets since the 80's...it all depends on how you like to work with images. If you like to manipulate images, or do a lot of cloning (image repair), or require variable pressure (rather than the on and off of the mouse buttons) then I would put it in the need category. Also if you use a program like Corel Painter then you definitely NEED the variable pressure of the tablet/stylus.

Think about it this way...look how many years you went to school to learn how to control a pencil.

Certainly a lot better than trying to use what is essentially a bar of soap (including the Razor Naga).

Just buy one. They make everything much more natural. If you spend a lot of time editing, then its worth it.

I picked up a medium wireless version a while back and it is very inuitive to use. It helps with masking and subtle editing tasks in a big way.

Don't knock a $100-200 mouse. A really good mouse is great.

For all the things you mentioned, wacom is great. However, that's not really much photography related. Most photographers need a little bit of cloning, dodging/burning,colors,etc and for that wacom is not necessary.
Wacom is nice for photo retouchers, yet a few very famous photo retouchers prefer a good mouse...

Just so you know where I'm coming from:

Thank you for all your input!
I did more digging on this matter and things don't look too bright for me


From what I have seen in reviews, many photo editors complained about cheaper versions of the Bamboo (those that are under $300.00 by the way).
Personally, I am very much against buying low quality products, because they tend to work bad and break much early then anticipated.
It is better to save up for a real deal that you will enjoy to use and that will serve you for a long time.

Looks like Wacom Intuos is the way to go, but those babies are seriously pricy.



Razor Naga is certainly a very nice device, not sure how it responds (I expect very well), but it would greatly improve the workflow just by having access to the many tools at your fingers.
At the same time, I believe that pen should be better and more natural for retouching and want to see how it can be incorporated into my workflow.

No, sadly, I can't draw, but can manipulate graphic on computer and getting better at it.
When I started playing with CorelDRAW5 many years ago, I was greatly inspired by one graphic designer at the advertisement agency,
who was recent graduate with equivalent of M.Sc. in Biology and could not draw a straight line on paper, yet was making very impressive 3D advertisements.


If I had any doubts your comment would be a certain selling point!


That is the problem, I can't "just buy one". I have to budget for it and need to know/test for what exactly to budget.
I am getting into fairly advanced editing, for example multiple masking of several layers with different exposure, palette, contrast, etc. and it is quite frustrating to work very slow,
or repeat actions because mouse was too robust for a certain fine edit.

Going to see if I can catch Wacom presence on local expositions.

Hello

I bought Wacom Intuos 8x10 a few years ago. I was doing a lot of editing requiring fine detail masking and felt thwarted by mouse interactions.

I do draw, a lot, so naturally felt a tablet would help which it does very much for such type of actions, I wouldn't want to go back to mouse for fine detail drawing type actions.

As Dmitri points out, simple point and click or usually crude actions like dodge, burn, blur, etc. can easily be done by mouse only. I sometimes still use only mouse and keyboard.

The tablet side buttons are useless, awkward, and very easy to forget what they're programmed function is, although easy to reprogram to whatever you want. And the little scroll pad is beyond useless, intermittently nonresponsive. The pen tip is awesome, I've never had to change it after years of use. The pen undo button is excellent.

I repeat others, just go buy one. If it's not for you Wacom tablets hold their value and are very easy to resell for good price: I bought off Craigslist for about 2/3's full price. I tried a few company bankruptcy auctions but it became ludicrous as people were buying 10 piece lots for full retail price.