Tablets forum: Wacom Intuos5 and Bamboo - Medium or Small

Hi Bob,

Finally decided on a puchase: I got the Wacom Bamboo Create Pen and Touch.

Thanks for all your help,
Ronan

The artists I've worked with were more concerned about pressure sense levels and accuracy than touch. It's your money, buy what you want.
Bob

Hi Bob,

I realise the "importance" of pressure sentivity, but I want to have the touch capability. Between a medium and a small, what would you recommend? Should I get an intuos5?

The artists I have run into want and get the Cintiq but in that class device it depends on what you want. What I think rarely matters but touch is there because of that current technology which I won't mention.

For example if you want to draw a longer line, you'd want the bigger painting pad.
Bob

Hi Bob,

I didnt really understand what youre trying to say in your first point, and for the thought that for bigger lines a bigger tablet is needed, that is not true.
Wacom tablets (most graphics tablets for that matter) run in 'absolute' mode, meaning the active area of the tablet represents the whole screen. This means that I can draw the same size line whether or not I have a small, medium or large tablet.
I can't afford the cintiq with the massive price tag just yet, and I don't know if I will enjoy using the tablet anyways, so Im not spending over 1,000 for a tablet that I might use for 2 months, and then leave it alone.

Sorry to be difficult,
- HELLZ

You find the larger tablet can give you more control over where the line ends. However I find folk struggle over zooming in/out and well, it takes time to master the tools. My first comment is that the artists I run into don't use the model you noted. They head up to the Cintiq. But a pad is just that. I can only guess how long you've been using one.
Bob

Hi Bob,

That seems fair enough that you say Ill have more control with the medium, although for the amount I will be using it, is it really worth it? I have never used a graphics tablet before; this would be my first.
So again, here is my question: Will a small be big enough for my needs?

Thanks so much Bob,
- HELLZ

Hey again,

PLEASE NOTE: The Wacom Bamboo Create (http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Bamboo-Create-Tablet-CTH670/dp/B005HGBF9W/ref=pd_cp_pc_2) is the equivalent of the medium intuos5, but for around $150. Would this be a better idea for my first tablet?

Thanks again,
- HELLZ

I was thinking you were a current user and apologize for that. By all means go cheap. I thought you were using such a thing.
Bob

Hey Bob,

So from that I understand that youre suggesting I go with a bamboo first? Or should I still go with a small intuos5?

Thanks,
- HELLZ

I don't want to dissuade about drawing tablets so get your first one and see how you like it.

And find someone with the Cintiq to see why I wrote about that.
Bob

Hi again,

I know Im really horrible with thinking of everything to put in my message..

Anyway, here are some points I was considering:

- I intend to carry the tablet to college every day, so an intuos5 small would be more portable than a medium bamboo create.
- The intuos5 small has about the same ratio for corner-to-corner sweeping as my mouse
- Having a small intuos5 will help me determine if I want to go for a medium or a large later on
- The bamboo create has much less pressure levels, less nibs, less buttons, but a MUCH lower price than the intuos5 small

Right now, I just need to know if a I should get a medium bamboo create, or a small intuos5.

Thanks,
- HELLZ

What type of paint should I use?
Which brush is best?

Nod to price and more levels of pressure.
Bob

Hi Ben,

So I gather from your reply that your advice would be to go for an intuos5 small, since it has a much higher range of pressure sensitivity?

Thanks,
Ronan