Do you use a mouse or tablet when working in Photoshop?

[Wekiva]

I'm jumping into digital photography more and more for work and am getting tired of trying to edit things with the mouse. Is a tablet/stylus a lot better when doing general editing stuff? I'm using Lightroom to do overall photo edits like exposure and white balance but there are times when I have to get in and do more detailed editing in Photoshop and the mouse just sucks.

What tablet would you recommend for $100 or under? Are sub $100 tablets of any use? Do they all simply plug into a USB port? Do you leave them plugged in all the time or unplug when not using? What is the smallest tablet that's still useful?

Thanks

 

[Rockinacoustic]

What kind of mouse are you using? My Logitech G5 is great for detail work in Photoshop with its high DPI sensitivity.

I'm not familiar with Lightroom, but would a Tablet really be necessary? I always thought of them for graphic design more than photo touch-up.

 

[episodic]

Just got a bamboo - it is awesome. Selections, the pen tool, etc becomes so easy.
http://www.provantage.com/wacom-mte450~7WACM18V.htm

Get it here for less than 60$ shipped. I love this company - they ship fast. I got it next day with standard shipping.

 

[foghorn67]

dude. I read some reviews, I am getting this. I can't justify trying out a high end tablet, because I am not sure If could get used to it. Rather spend it on strobes.
But this looks cool.
I did try an off brand cheapy one a while ago, and it sucked. Willing to see what all the hubbub is about. I think the key difference is the texture makes it seem natural.
Thanks Op, thanks episodic. I would never thought about this on my own. I always skip the tablet section, so I would never come across this at the store.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
What kind of mouse are you using? My Logitech G5 is great for detail work in Photoshop with its high DPI sensitivity.

I'm not familiar with Lightroom, but would a Tablet really be necessary? I always thought of them for graphic design more than photo touch-up.

Agreed with this. The G5 is worlds ahead of any ball or optical mouse.

 

[OdiN]

I use my mouse - another G5 here.

 

[Wekiva]

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
What kind of mouse are you using? My Logitech G5 is great for detail work in Photoshop with its high DPI sensitivity.

I'm not familiar with Lightroom, but would a Tablet really be necessary? I always thought of them for graphic design more than photo touch-up.

I'm using a Microsoft Optical mouse. The sensitivity is not the problem...it's trying to make selections that involve an angle. I'm OK with straight lines...but anything at an angle or on a curve becomes very difficult with a mouse. Maybe it's just me....but the idea of selecting things w/ a pen shaped stylus is starting to seem like something that would make my work a bit easier.

I agree in Lightroom a tablet would not help much...it's in Photoshop where it would come in handy.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Wekiva

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
What kind of mouse are you using? My Logitech G5 is great for detail work in Photoshop with its high DPI sensitivity.

I'm not familiar with Lightroom, but would a Tablet really be necessary? I always thought of them for graphic design more than photo touch-up.

I'm using a Microsoft Optical mouse. The sensitivity is not the problem...it's trying to make selections that involve an angle. I'm OK with straight lines...but anything at an angle or on a curve becomes very difficult with a mouse. Maybe it's just me....but the idea of selecting things w/ a pen shaped stylus is starting to seem like something that would make my work a bit easier.

I agree in Lightroom a tablet would not help much...it's in Photoshop where it would come in handy.

Well I used to play FPS games extensively whicih used the mouse.

I guess try that

 

[episodic]

It is awesome. A complex selection that took me 20 minutes with the mouse - only 5 with the pad. Wait till you can manipulate the bezier curves so much easier in the pen tool. . .etc

 

[Wekiva]

Originally posted by: episodic
It is awesome. A complex selection that took me 20 minutes with the mouse - only 5 with the pad. Wait till you can manipulate the bezier curves so much easier in the pen tool. . .etc

See...that is what I was hoping for. I'm starting to look at the Bamboo Small Pen Tablet for around $60 (same one you recommended Ep). Will this do the job? I like the size but am more concerned about the options of this tablet. I don't need it to be too complex...just something to help me w/ selections.

 

[episodic]

The thing is a breeze. Don't be concerned about the small size. You have a neat zoom ring on it and you can switch to the handtool and drag your image around all while zoomed in and never leaving the selection tool.

 

[theblackbox]

the bamboo is a great choice if you want a little more control, the intuos 3 series are great, and offer a lot of flexibility.

 

[rivan]

I've tried a couple times to get into a tablet, and haven't been able to make the jump. I've been a mouser in PS for some 15 years and run out of patience with the stylus quickly.

Then again, I haven't tried a tablet in about 5 years and I understand they've improved.

 

[Kelvrick]

I use both. Mainly mouse for moving around and such, but when I bring up the brush/pen, anything that requires more detail, I pick up the pen for the tablet. I have an older wacom. I think it was the graphire 4, before the bamboo replaced the entry-level models.

 

[Throckmorton]

I have a Wacom tablet that I haven't used in about 5 years. I could never get used to using a tablet because you're not drawing directly on the screen. On the odd occasion that I have to mess with something in Paintshop Pro or Paint.net, I adjust the sensitivity on my Logitech G9 to what I need.

 

[corkyg]

I use my Wacom tablet all the time. I got used to the stylus years ago when precision mouse work caused wrist pain over time. No problem with the stylus. Plus you can use French curves and other drawing instruments with it.

Sometimes precise work with a mouse is like trying to do microsurgery with a meat cleaver.

 

[scott916]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
I have a Wacom tablet that I haven't used in about 5 years. I could never get used to using a tablet because you're not drawing directly on the screen. On the odd occasion that I have to mess with something in Paintshop Pro or Paint.net, I adjust the sensitivity on my Logitech G9 to what I need.

Sell it to me... hehe

Yeah, I can definitely vouch for the bamboo. It's 70% as good as an intuos, and LEAGUES better than those shitty knockoff tablets. Well worth it.

 

[xanis]

I use a mouse, but only because I don't have a tablet. I've used them before and they're awesome... and I would love to get one, but if I can help it I'll be spending money on a 50mm f/1.8 instead.

 

[Kaido]

Be sure to hop on the 25% of eBay promotion over in Hot Deals...I just got myself a new Wacom tablet and got $96 cashback Accidentally vacuumed up the USB cord on my old one haha.