need help buying graphics tablet

[SteveN_25]

Hi I want to buy a graphics tablet and I was wondering whats the best, reasonably priced one to get.
I will use it for 2d illustrations, graphic design, game texturing, zBrush, photoshop.

I have never owned one so Im not sure what to get. I would want one that has a good sized drawing area.

I've seen wacom "educational" tablets they seem to sell cheaper does anyone know what the difference is.

I live in the UK and would like to know the best place to purchase one (i.e. best deal). Is it cool buying these 2nd hand, any info would be great

cheers
steve

[doylle]

hmm, i don't know what those things cost nowadays, but rather than the size, have a look at the different dimensions. I got an Wacom intuos A4 at home, but it is quite large, not to say to large. At work i have an a5, and that does the job equally well. IMO, unless you're absolutely certain you want an A4, I'd go with an A5. It's a bit more comfortable, and it'll save you quite some $$.

[Pankake]

Yeah the intuos3 A5 is pretty good for the price, the 4s are fancier with their little ipod touch ring and they do have double the pen pressure levels, but honestly, I don't think double the price is justified.
See if you can pick up an Intuos3, try google product search. Or eBay.

[Xoliul]

Oh and do not ever get anything else than Wacom, they're lightyears ahead of the competition.

[gamersumit]

close ur eyes and go for Wacom. its really best. its cool when it comes to painting textures or sculpting in Zbrush.

[Talon]

I'd recommend the Intuos A5 if you've got the funds. However, I've played around with my mate's Bamboo (their cheapest range) and it seems like a pretty solid range, too.

And as Xoliul mentioned, don't get anything except Wacom. They don't take batteries and they're nigh indestructable.

The educational ones are no different, just cheaper priced for students. Although I think you need to prove somehow that you are one.

[benclark]

I bought my Wacom second hand from ebay and have had no problems at all with it. Its probably about 4 years since i bought it and its still working perfect

Wacoms are fairly solid and people usually upgrade in size after using a small one, so they're are usually good deals to be had

[SteveN_25]

cheers guys I bought the Intuos 3 A5 today off ebay for £159.99 based on your recommendations. Really wanted asap but stupid paypal said me funds wont clear till the 12th june. GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
Cant wait to get it iv been using me mates Trust tablet, its 5+ years old and awful and dying.

I wanted to ask, you guys are primaraly 3d modellers, hows your 2d illustration skills. Mine are pretty bad, I really would like to be better but I find it easier making things (i.e. characters etc) in 3d rather than 2d. I can be good at 2d stuff but it takes me a really long time and just stresses me out. Am I mental lol.

heres me 3d work if you wanna see. its a link to my youtube channel with all me animations n stuff

YouTube - SteveN2525's Channel

Did you guys actively work at your 2d skills for games industry jobs. I want to be a modeller/animator/texture artist.

cheers
steve

[Gilgamesh]

Are the bamboo worth the toss? Or is the extra cash outlay worth it?

[stop619]

Originally Posted by Gilgamesh

Are the bamboo worth the toss? Or is the extra cash outlay worth it?

I was going back and forth on the Bamboo or the new Intuos4 small. With so many things in life, the determining factor was price. The Bamboo was US $69 and the 4 was US $199.

Granted this is my first tablet so I really can't compare, but I'm very impressed. Texturing in Photoshop is actually fun now, lol. I also use it to model in 3ds Max. In fact, I use the tablet for most of my input except games.

The biggest con with the Bamboo IMO, is that there is no program profiler, which as disappointing as that is, wasn't a deal breaker.

Will I ever upgrade? Probably so, no time soon though. It works for me, and the price was right. Obviously the new (and old) Intuos' are beasts with more features, but it was a matter off putting my wants and needs in check with the funds. If money is no object go for the upgrade...I would have

I think you can find some unboxing videos on youtube which show off the product a little more than the wacom site.