Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet (A6)

[HSK]

Hi hexus, I know there's a recent thread on tablets, but i just wanted to ask about this specific one and it's usage - I've got alot of urgent work over the next few weeks (editing video & graphics) i was wondering if having one of these Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet's (A6) could help speed things up for me in terms of program control and navigation? not so much the fine editing/designing etc, just a more natural and quicker hands on with manipulating the program tools (Adobe Premiere & Photoshop).

Ideally if i had my own way and the means i'd pick up a Intuos A5, but until uni is over and i can make a means i cant go with that option, but the 50/60 quid I could do for the Bamboo, if it can help me with the tasks.


Thanks in advance for any replies and help guys.

[tigerboyce]

Love them, obviously the bigger the better, but i find it really slow and hard to now use photoshop with a mouse!

[HSK]

cheers for your reply tigerboyce... so it can speed up productivity in terms of control/navigation? I could really do with that, know of anywhere doing them at a decent price?

[tigerboyce]

Yeah, its alot more comfortable to move round with a pen than a mouse, obviously if your going to be doing any painting or editing stuff it makes it a hell of alot easier to get control over lines and such, but it is also useful to navigate. Does feel a bit strange at first, but once you get used to it you'll find that your hand memorises the locations of buttons and it becomes instinct to just zoom through tapping along as if your not dragging a cursor around

Amazon is probably your best bet for the cheapest price, check Pc World though, sometimes have a good deal.

[ACiD303]

I have an Intuos A5 (previous gen) and I never use it for Adobe Premiere/After Effects. Solely for Flash/Illustrator/Photoshop. However, it really depends on what you are personally more comfortable using...it took me a few hours to get used to the Wacom, and used with keyboard shortcuts it can be a lot quicker when drawing/designing quickly.

However, with Adobe Premiere/After Effects, with a more cluttered interface (and I run 2048x1536 resolution mapped to an A5 tablet, so not the best) I found myself correcting more mistakes than it was worthwhile to get accustomed to (doing uni work too).

For quickness, the pen will win - however, even after owning the tablet for a couple of years, I'll still use the mouse for when accuracy and minute movements are required. If you've not got an extremely steady hand, and your pen nib is floating over the top of the tablet, you can see the pointer vibrating - thats how sensitive these things are.

I'd say it's personal preference, you should really try these things out before you buy them because they're not cheap and not everyone can adapt quickly to them or even likes them. Some peers at uni spent a couple of days trying to solely use the Intuos A4's at uni for a couple of days to try and increase their productivity but resorted back to the mouse.

On the other hand, I know someone who is buying a bamboo just now (so close to end of semester) because he adapted to it quickly and is much better and quicker on the Intuos A4's, but those labs shut too early to get anything serious done.

I bought my Intuos from ebay - I got myself a good bargain, it came without the box/manual/drivers etc, but its still as solid as the new gens Intuos A4's at uni.

[fuddam]

for video editing, i reckon a mouse is better, esp being able to use the wheel

image editing - tablet is better

[HSK]

hi, great guys, i really appreciate the input.

[Bobster]

Originally Posted by ACiD303

your pen nib is floating over the top of the tablet, you can see the pointer vibrating - that's how sensitive these things are.

that's called interference, you need to move the tablet/tablet cable away from any electrical interference ie. CRT monitor, speakers etc, the nib will then stop vibrating

[HSK]

so guys, in the end i bought one, and for the price, i think it is very good. i can see my self in the future wanting a higher spec for sure, but right now for the small things and getting used to tablets in general i'd recommend it.

luckily another member of my team picked up a intuos3 wide a5, so we can use that for the detailed work, and the bambo to take with the laptop around.

[Bobster]

you can use the Bamboo for detailed work..

[HSK]

oh yea, in no way do i mean it cant handle detailed work...i just worded that wrong. ;-)