Wacom Introduces New "Intuos Photo" Graphics Tablet

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a graphics tablet to help you get your post production workflow on lock, you may want to check out the latest addition to the Wacom family. The popular graphics tablet manufacturer has added new Pen & Touch tablets, which will come in four different “models”–the Pen & Touch Intuos Art, the Intuos Comic, the Intuos Photo, and the Intuos Draw.

The reason for the quotes is there is no real difference between the Art, Comic, and Photo models, except for the software which comes bundled with the hardware. The Intuos Draw differs in that it only works using the pen and offers no touch functionality.

The software which comes with the Photo model is Corel AfterShot Pro, which probably won’t replace Lightroom and/or Photoshop for most of you. (Maybe you could gift your license to a friend who is just starting out?) But, the reason to buy a graphics tablet certainly isn’t for the free software that comes bundled with it, it’s how much time it can save you during editing. If you’re already a graphics tablet user, you know exactly what I’m talking about (and how hard it is to go back to editing without it once you’ve gotten the hang of using one.)

As far as the Intuos Photo goes, it’s a relatively simple design, but one that has enough features to be useful to most photographers. It has four programmable ExpressKeys, plus two more customizable buttons on the pen. The small model features a 6.0 x 3.7 inch active area, whereas the medium offers an 8.5 x 5.3 inch active area. Both have 1024 pressure levels and ships in three different colors (blue, black, white). The tablet will set you back $99 for the small and $199 for the medium. (I use a medium sized tablet, but it takes up a lot more desk real estate, and to be completely honest, I think a small tablet would be perfectly adequate for my needs.)

[ via SLR Lounge ]

Leo Falcon

I have one tablet given as a gift. I have tried to practice but I can’t find timeand it feels awkward. Do any of you know a good software or exercise to start getting used with it?
- JP Danko
  
  I have the exact same problem – everyone says you have to use it for a while and then you will get used to it – but I can never seem to get the hang of it. I think its a left handed thing. I originally thought a tablet would be great for lefties – mouse with your right, tablet with your left – but what I’ve found is my normal workflow is to mouse with my right and keyboard shortcut with my left – if I’m using a tablet I can’t do that – I have to hold the stylus in my left which leaves my right for keyboard shortcuts – which is the exact opposite of what I’m used to. I think for righties its easier because they are just subbing the mouse for a stylus – but if you’re a leftie – everything is bass ackwards.
  - Leo Falcon
    
    I didn’t gave a thought about it until you mentioned. I’m a lefty and that’s the biggest problem I got. I will try to get a configurable keypad and see if the experience gets better this week. Thanks!
  - Frank Nazario
    
    in the settings of your Wacom tablet ( i have an intuos 4 medium) you can select the orientation of your tablet (right handed or left) if you are a leftie… believe me you can set up your tablet for left hand usage… I am left handed :-). I have used Wacom tablets for since 2008… so believe me when I tell you they will last you a LOOOONG time 🙂
    Cheers.
Steve Duffey

To better learn the Wacom tablet check out some of the videos from Wacom on YouTube. I know with the Intuos Pro you can rotate the tablet and using the software tell it you are a lefty. Most importantly,don’t use the mouse as a crutch and force your hand to develop the muscle memory needed. I will admit is a bit awkward at first but it does get easier.
Ryan Jones

So is the Wacom photo not compatible with photoshop like the intuos pro is?