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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Roli on Tuesday 12 February 08 14:32 GMT (UK)
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I' ve been reading the excellent tutorials on colouring and restoring photos on here, and have found them extremely useful. Folllowing them, I have actually managed to colour a couple of my own photos, albeit amateurishly, and with a lot of time and effort! I have seen all the recommendations for graphics tablets, and have looked at the prices of Waccom tablets. Even on Ebay they are way out of my price range! Is there an alternative make that would allow me to do basic restoration etc cheaper than a Waccom? And what size would be preferable - A4 or A5? Would A6 be too small to be of any use?
I would be grateful for your expert advice.
Peter
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Hello Peter,
Welcome to the Restoration and dating board.
I'm not an expert by any means , and I don't own a tablet yet, but what I suggest is that you get to a level of colouring that you are happy with first. Then decide whether you are enjoying doing it , which I think is the main point. If you are already at this stage , then yes go after a tablet , otherwise it will be something to gather dust in the corner. It won't do anything for you except make it easier to do. (theory)
There are quite a few graphic tablet users on here , so hopefully , they will give you more detailed advice.
Jim
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Hi Peter
As Jim says, get familiar with restoration and colouring techniques first. You don't want to experiment with both at the same time.
I've had a tablet for over 12 years. I am an artist and use it mostly for artwork but it is very useful for photowork too :) I have a Wacom Intuos 3 A5 at the moment but have used A6 in the past with no problem.
I did have a small A6 non-Wacom one first of all which was fine for a while but far less sophisticated than the Wacoms. I'm not sure of the make now but will check on possibles for you.
What is the maximum price that you are willing to pay?
Regards
Gadget :)
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I see that there are new ones from £29 - over £2000 on this site:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/757/xx/xx/104/9/criteresn.html
I've heard favourable comments on the Wacom Bamboo A6 - selling here at £30 - £130.
Gadget
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Thanks to you both for the advice. No, I certainly shan't be buying one yet, if at all!. I really am a novice and am just experimenting, although it is fun, though! It's just that I find drawing with a mouse is cumbersome and inexact!
I would like to know why the Wacom tablet is so much more expensive than others available and its advantages over cheaper ones. I'll certainly check out the given web site listed, though.
Peter
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Oh good a chat about Wacom graphics tablets again ;D
Many thanks for the link, Gadget (Pixmania) ;D ;D
Roli, I've been learning to colour since September and had been thinking of splashing out on an Intuos 3 sometime this year .. but the fan's gone in our oven :'( ..... so that takes priority :'( :'( :(
However, the Pixmania prices aren't as bad as I thought and I'm now wondering about getting a cheap one (if it's AppleMac friendly) to see how I cope with it :)
Rachel ;D
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Roli
Just as the definition of an image is dependent on resolution (dots per inch or dpi), the definition of graphics tablets (lines per inch or lpi) determine the quality achieved.
The cheaper tablets have a lpi of around 1000. The newer Wacom tablets are above 5000 lpi, hence the high cost.
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Thanks for that. That would certainly explain the vast price difference. I think I'll just add it to the bottom of my wish list, for now.
Peter
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Depends on whether you are running a MAC or a PC. I've used graphics tablets for years and you do get far more manouverablility (sp? My spell check is in welsh for some bizarre reason ::)) using a pen then a mouse.
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Hi,
Could you clarify the difference between using a gt on a Mac versus a PC? I've only ever used PC's.
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Hi,
Could you clarify the difference between using a gt on a Mac versus a PC? I've only ever used PC's.
I'd like to know too ;D
I've only ever used a Mac ;D ;D
Rachel ;)
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If memory serves the only graphics tablet that is suited for a MAC is a Wacom table, wacom is an expensive make sure it's usually only realistic to buy a small one - whereas I believe there is more choice for PC's which come in larger sizes and are cheaper.
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Thank you Jillie
I'll keep mousing away for now until I reach screaming point ! ;D
Doing some strappy sandals last year was almost too much to cope with ;D ;D
Peter ... if you get one please let us all know how you get on with it ...
I understand that left-handers find them really good. :-\
Rachel :) (right-handed)
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Thank you both for adding to my knowledge - a GT is slowly, very slowly, moving up my wish list. I'll let you know how I get on if I get one.
By the way I am left-handed, although I use a mouse configured for right-handed people in my left!
Peter
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Ah
Left handers use Graphics tablets better than others - GT on the Left, Mouse to the right - no probs - best of both worlds ;D
Trust me - I'm left handed :D :D :D
Gadget
Ps - you must be a really super artistic person who has had to struggle for years to get people to recognize your personal requirements and talent 8) 8) 8)
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I've been looking at graphics tablets too. As an artist, I think I would find one useful. I'd almost decided to buy a Wacom, but am not able to find them on sale in the shops where I live, apart from the very smallest bamboo fun. I'm sure even a small one would make working with photos easiers,but I'm not sure about other applications. Is size important? ???
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A6 is fine, Juliann.
It's just hand.eye coordination. As I said earlier, I've used both A5 and A6 for fine art work and they both do the job :)
If you havn't got any shops nearby, have you tried the link I put up(above) the other day.
Gadget :)
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:) thanks Gadget. That looks like a good site, have you used it? I had come to the conclusion that I would have to buy online, but prefer to use sites that have been recommended. Can't wait to get hold of one ;D
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Hi Julieann
I have used them - I think via an Amazon sub-contract. I either got my Epson R2400 printer or my Intuos 3 Graphics Tablet from them.
Gadget :)
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It might be worth buying a cheap A6 tablet to see if you like it. Mine cost just £21 from the local supermarket.
I don't seem to have had much time for photo restoration since I bought it, but a few practice sessions have convinced me I'll find it much easier and more precise than the mouse. I might even upgrade to a 'proper' one one day.
And my artist friend has fallen in love with this fascinating new medium and produced some excellent original work with it.
Mike.
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Julieann,
If you do get a cheap one I would be very interested in your first impressions, because as you know I am toying with the idea, but the cost, and whether it might sit unused after a first outing dissuade me.
PS I think we may be neighbours.
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Julieann,
If you do get a cheap one I would be very interested in your first impressions, because as you know I am toying with the idea, but the cost, and whether it might sit unused after a first outing dissuade me.
I'd like to second that, Julieann ...
(spent most of my working life as an illustrator ...
:-[ over 20 years :-[ :o ! !)
If I do take the plunge and buy one it WILL have to be a Wacom, but my OH keeps telling me that anything smaller than A5 will not suit me and it has to be an Intuos 3 .... ??? :-\
I remain unconvinced and dithery ;D >:( ::)
Rachel ;)
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::) Dithering...that's me too. I'm definitely going to get one, and it'll be a wacom, it's just a size thing. What are the benefits of size? ??? As with all computer stuff, I really want to try before I buy, but seldom have the opportunity.
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Hi Julieann
OH has an A3 size Wacom at work and maintains that you need something BIG in order to be able to get a good 'sweep' with the pen thingie :o ....
Most of the people I've asked on here don't even have A4 GTs, they seem happy with A5s.
There's also the question of space ..... Poll Doll has a photograph of hers on here somewhere .... can't find it just now :(
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I've just tested my A5 and can sweep my wrist quite adequately. It's not like drawing at an easel with charcoal, etc. where one uses the whole arm.
I've produced, exhibited and sold many art works with both an A6 and A5 one.
Gadget