Graphics Tablet - Advice please

[Hobjob]

Daughter lives South Africa and does professional photography.

Getting RSI post weddings when has to work 2-3 days non-stop
at computer.

Apparently good evidence that graphics tablets speed work in
Photoshop but about 20% (and reduce RSI).

Any recomendations?

Thanks

[Meta menardi]

I have an A2 monster one, but it doesn't add much to what you can do with an A5 one. try and check what the pen or puck feels like, I got one very cheap about 18 months ago, the pen isn't balanced and the puck buttons are too stiff, so it just sits there. Wacom seem to do a fair choice, and that is the one I use, it's pretty old so maybe not a current model.

They do help, I do quite a bit of GIS stuff, and I use a tablet, a mouse and a rollerball, and with both hands (but not at the same time) to get round stiff hands, neck, shoulders.

[alisonthompson]

I use a Wacom tablet in combination with a Rollermouse Pro, which means I can use both hands and thumbs to control the mouse actions and it is in front of me, rather than to the side, so it really helps with RSI.

I think getting equipment that you can use in front of you, rather than to the side is a major plus factor, as it helps to improve posture and the work station and reduces the need to keep stretching an arm out to the side.

Ali

[squishy]

i've got a really cheap bottom range wacom bamboo tablet. it's very simple, no buttons on the tablet, and just two on the pen, but it only cost about £15 and it's very useful.

you could always try a cheap one like this for a while, then upgrade if you feel it worth it later (then you can always just use the cheap one on a second PC or laptop)

[eeyore]

we got one like squishy's to help with sarahs rsi but to be honest we hardly use it - what is helpful to RSI is a trackball rather than a mouse - especially when combined with a decent wrist rest

[Ollie]

I use a Wacom Bamboo One graphics tablet. Paid somewhere around fifty notes for it.

It definitely speeds up work flow when editing photographs and I wouldn't be without mine I use it for everything not just photo editing.

Can't say if it would prevent RSI as I never suffered from this when I used a mouse myself.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by eeyore

we got one like squishy's to help with sarahs rsi but to be honest we hardly use it - what is helpful to RSI is a trackball rather than a mouse - especially when combined with a decent wrist rest

Some likes 'em, some hates 'em, but for photo editing it is very helpful, though I find the variable pressure effect on the point unresponsive, but then give me a fine bit of paper and the best grade of pencil, and I can produce the same effect as a 2 year old child with a sooty poker on a bit of sugar paper. It's just a skill I have.

[Geoff F]

I like a big one for advanced photo editing where I have to draw selections around an image or create a mask with variable transparency but when it comes down to a lot of basic clicking I usually go back to the mouse.

[Venger]

It all depends on which version of PS you have and also which tablet you use.
I use a 9 X 12 Intuos 2 Wacom using Photoshop CS, (both a little out of date now - I need to upgrade). I have tried the lower models - like the graphite tablet but find them a bit unresponsive and 'cheap' feeling in comparison.
But then I use mine for digital art so I'm looking for a full range (pen pressure, nib feel etc)
Obviously a large tablet is like pencil and drawing board, so less stress for the wrist I guess.

[Hobjob]

Thank you folks - will talk with daughter when I see her soon

[Tormentil]

Wouldn't be without my tablet. I'd discard the mouse entirely, but HiD can't use the pen.

[acherontia]

OH's is a Aiptek A3 size and it's brilliant.
Invaluable for 'art work' on images and much more comfortable for people like us who are more used to pencils for arty stuff.
Not as expensive as a Wacom but the spec is higher for the price. It works very, very well.

Acher

[Hobjob]

OK bought a bamboo - the thin one to make sure wrist
position as natual as possible.

SHE IS OVER THE MOON.

Like the pressure snsitivity more than the lack of mouse movements!!

Thanks again

(I want one now!)

[tom00_uk]

are tablets a good idea if you use gimp?

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

are tablets a good idea if you use gimp?

Yep graphic tablets are easier to use in these programs than a mouse.

[Elean0r]

Can I add what are probably some dumb questions, but I've been thinking about getting a graphics tablet for ages and have looked at so many lists of technical details that I've got confused.

If I want to edit a picture that's 300dpi do I need a tablet that's 300lpi, or doesn't it matter?

Some of the tablets specify a screen size, does it matter too much if your monitor doesn't match those specifications?

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by Elean0r

If I want to edit a picture that's 300dpi do I need a tablet that's 300lpi, or doesn't it matter?

No, it doesn't matter.

Originally Posted by Elean0r

Some of the tablets specify a screen size, does it matter too

Not sure about this ! All my tablets have recognised my screen size automatically.

[Elean0r]

Thanks