Regular Mouse or Tablet for Photo Editing

For those that do photo editing in post processing -- Do you use a tablet/pen mouse, or just a regular mouse? I've been thing that a tablet or pen mouse might help with making selections, etc. There are times I'd like to do some selective dodging & burning, but am having trouble making selections with the mouse. Does anybody have experience in this area?

Thanks!

Jim

I use a track ball that is ergonomically oriented for my hands. I used to use a mouse, but was getting nasty carpal tunnel syndrome. I have debated doing the tablet thing myself, but have found the mouse to be very helpful.

One of the computers I have examined, a HP One Touch, has the touch screen in the monitor itself - which I think is pretty cool. I wonder if it is sensitive enough to use for graphics work...

-James

Once you get used to a pen tablet, there's simply no turning back.

I have a Wacom Intuos II on my main machine as well as a Wacom Cintiq for my laptop. The Cintiq is monitor & tablet all in one, which is really nice.

I have the Intous 3 6x8 tablet and love it,,can do things with it that you can't do with a reg mouse, DAve

Thanks James, Jim, & Dave!

I think if I want to do any post processing beyond moving sliders, I'm going to want a tablet. I've decided to try Wacom's $99.00 Bamboo Fun model to get started with. Depending on how well I'm able to navigate with it, I'll know whether I can do with an Intuos, or if I'll need to start saving up for the Cintiq. I've got lousy hand-eye coordination, though, so it looks like I better start saving.

Jim

I've not tried the Bamboo, but I did have a really cheap pen tablet way back when, and there is no comparison. I'm not saying the Bamboo is "cheapo," but I'm guesing it is missing a lot of features you might wish you had.

One money saving alternative is to check for refurbished tablets on the Wacom site. That's how I got my Intuous II, and it has been flawless for almost five years now.

Jim:

Thanks for the tip on refurbished tablets. I hadn't noticed that when I visited the Wacom site.

At $99.00 I am sure the build quality and features of the Bamboo Fun is significantly less than the Intuos. And, I know you get what you pay for. I was thinking about getting it just as a bridge to help me decide whether I need the Intuos or the Cintiq. At issue for me is whether I would be able to properly control the pen while looking at the screen.

BTW, what size are your tablets & do you recommend larger or is smaller just as good?

I have the really big (don't remember the exact size, but it was the largest Intuos II) on my desktop. I use half of it for each monitor.

I have the Cintiq 21 for the laptop.

As neat as the monitor and tablet together is, if I had the choice today, I would go with the Intuos III over the Cintiq for portable use. Too many cables and such on the Cintiq to make it convenient.

If pressed, I'd say bigger is better, because if you decide you need a smaller work space you can actually use the tablet software to map the tablet to whatever dimensions you like.

i have always been curious about the cintiq, but have never known anyone that actually used one. i can relate to your issue aout portability, but that point aside, how is it to use? do you feel like there is any advantage in any respects? or is it just 'different'?

would love to see your review of it.

jp

The Cintiq is "neat," but unless you really need a second monitor, I don't think it is any better than the Intuos. The one problem I have with the Cintiq is that the end of the pen and my fingers can sometimes get in the way of seeing what I'm doing. Of course, you can rotate the tablet to get around that, but it does get a little annoying.

Some of the button functions on the Cintiq are better than the Intuos II, but I think the Intuos III has the same button layout.

Another option that I was introduced to by using Capture NX is this plugin for photoshop. Upoint technology for selection is pretty cool stuff.

http://www.niksoftware.com/viveza/usa/entry.php

Roman

Both. A mouse for most stuff and the pen for intricate retouching. I switch the mouse between left handed and right handed when carpel tunnel starts to set in, but I can only use my pen left handed.

Still looking for that left handed camera.