Graphics tablet

[Roli]

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

[Woodentop50]

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

[JoMC]

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 

[JoMC]

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

[Roli]

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

[Rachels]

Oh good a chat about Wacom graphics tablets again 

Many thanks for the link, Gadget (Pixmania)   

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 

[Wardonia]

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.

[Roli]

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

[Jillie42]

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.