Wacom Bamboo, Intuos etc..suggestions?

I'm in a market for one of these wacom "pads" and was wondering if anyone here have any recommendation as to what to get that's best suited for Lightroom/Photoshop work.

I know that the Intuos are the top of the line ones but I'm looking for suggestions and advice that actually makes sense.

In other words, of course, I can get the largest and most expensive Intuos or Cintiq one out there (I really can't afford it lol) but I want to get the right size that is reasonably priced.

In other words, if I should save up to get a specific size Intuos versus the Bamboo, please let me know which one or if Intuos is just overkill and not worth the extra money because a Bamboo one would suffice then ....

I don't know enough about the true difference between these things and want to make sure I get the right one at the right price.

I don't mind spending more (I'll just save) I just want to know what everyone's experience is with what they have or wished they had or doesn't need to have...LOL

its not a pad, but a tablet

Bamboo has pressure sensitivity, but doesnt have all the controls of the Intuos or Cintiq

i've used a Wacom Tablet for the past 15 years now (i paint with it as well as do PP) and bought the wife a Bamboo earlier this year because she wanted to learn PP, it does the job, and is excellent bang for buck

The Bamboo gets you 95% of all the benefits you need for photo editing. If you get into painting, then the larger tablets have definite merit, but for photo editing (which is usually done with pencil-like movements rather than "paining from the shoulder" strokes), a smaller area works just as well if not better.

It would be nice if the Bamboo replicated the shift, alt, and windows/option keys as the Intuit does...that's the 5% it misses. But you can live and work well without them. The Bamboo also has courser pressure sensitivity than Intuous...but the current Bamboo line has the same cursor sensitivity that the Intuous line had for years until a few months ago, and that had been perfectly acceptable for top professional use all those years.

nutsnbolts wrote in post #9108250
I'm in a market for one of these wacom "pads" and was wondering if anyone here have any recommendation as to what to get that's best suited for Lightroom/Photoshop work.

I know that the Intuos are the top of the line ones but I'm looking for suggestions and advice that actually makes sense.

In other words, of course, I can get the largest and most expensive Intuos or Cintiq one out there (I really can't afford it lol) but I want to get the right size that is reasonably priced.

In other words, if I should save up to get a specific size Intuos versus the Bamboo, please let me know which one or if Intuos is just overkill and not worth the extra money because a Bamboo one would suffice then ....

I don't know enough about the true difference between these things and want to make sure I get the right one at the right price.

I don't mind spending more (I'll just save) I just want to know what everyone's experience is with what they have or wished they had or doesn't need to have...LOL

I got my daughter the larger Bamboo two years ago and I always have trouble making it 'stick' to the work area. I let my daughter use my Intuos and after a week when her project was over she refused to give it back. I told her I would buy her one of the newer models, but she said I should get myself a Cintiq for Christmas and let her keep the Intuos

I don't think I've ever used her Bamboo so I don't know all it's features, but she draws constantly with Autodesk Sketchbook, Anime Studio and Painter 11 and she hates the Bamboo now after using the Intuos.

What size specifically do you guys think you can recommend. What size is enough? I know that the larger ones that you guys are talking about are like 300+ range. I know I don't need all that big for photo editing. I don't plan on painting so what is a good size?

bamboo should do you fine..

MaxxuM's daughter probably likes the tilt features that the intuos has when using Painter

I've found my 4x6 Intuos 3 to be all the size I need. I use it for all computer function except typing....The new Intuos 4 small seems to be a bit larger in overall size. I've not used the 4 but suspect it is every bit as handy as the 3.

The programmability of the Intuos 4 across multiple applications can be VERY useful. NAPP members can download and use the Photoshop guys preferences or preferences can be traded or passed on.

wlescall wrote in post #9109582
The programmability of the Intuos 4 across multiple applications can be VERY useful. NAPP members can download and use the Photoshop guys preferences or preferences can be traded or passed on.

FYI - the 3 offers that same option and it is very useful.

Titus213 wrote in post #9109618
FYI - the 3 offers that same option and it is very useful.

I know ... had the 3, upgraded to the 4 and won't go back. There is a LOT more flexibility in the programming: i.e. the Radial Menu.

wlescall wrote in post #9109737
I know ... had the 3, upgraded to the 4 and won't go back. There is a LOT more flexibility in the programming: i.e. the Radial Menu.

Oh I agree, I just have to wait for my 3 to break to justify and upgrade....

And that won't happen for quite a while. They are really quite well built.

wlescall wrote in post #9109737
I know ... had the 3, upgraded to the 4 and won't go back. There is a LOT more flexibility in the programming: i.e. the Radial Menu.

I had two Intuos 3's (one @ home and one for the laptop). Went to a Wacom presentation for the new 4 and came away with two new Intuos 4's and later picked up another in the B/S forum.

http://www.wacom.com/i​ntuos/

The wacom bambo was a good entry level tablet but no where near as good as the intuos series.

However the latest incarnation of it is giving new buyers a run for their money.

http://www.wacom.com/b​amboo/bamboo_pen_touch​.php


But if you don't mind saving for it the Intous 3 or 4 are fantastic.

Wow guys, thanks for the responsiveness to this. I went out and purchased the Intuos 4 (Small) for my 17" Macbook pro. I love it. Then again, I can't really compare it to any other wacom related tablet except for my actual HP TABLET PC (built on wacom).

I did see the bamboo pen/touch but not sure how the two would mix well together? Do I really need touch? Hmmm... A quick review I pulled up on my iPhone while trying to decide at the store was that the touch feature wasn't all that and the use of it wasn't something you really would use so having that extra feature is nice but not necessary.

On the other hand, when I took my intuos 4 home, I didn't know it came with a mouse? Honestly, I like the mouse feature..then again if I was going to ask myself, why I need the extra mouse? I really don't know (same idea as having touch).

Anyway, happy camper here...

I am a NAPP member, can someone elaborate on the sharing preferences...links?

Titus213 wrote in post #9111347
Oh I agree, I just have to wait for my 3 to break to justify and upgrade....

And that won't happen for quite a while. They are really quite well built.

Well ... there is always an 'accident' .