OT: Wacom Tablets

Just curious on some opinions of using tablets for photo editing. I am specifically interested in the different offerings from Wacom is regard to price vs functionality. I don't edit excessively on my images if at all possible. But on some, particularly where blending is needed, I can see the use of a tablet. Currently, I use my Magic Mouse (Mac) and it is sufficient for many images. Many years ago, I did have a basic Wacom tablet but really never got use to using it. Clearly, they have come a long way in functionality. I notice now they can also be used as a trackpad, which may work well with gesture commands availablle on a Mac.

I've had a bamboo for a couple years now, still not used to it. I've gotten so used to a mouse that I find everything much slower and tedious with the wacom. Most people seem to love them though...

"I don't edit excessively on my images if at all possible. But on some, particularly where blending is needed, I can see the use of a tablet."

I don't think you need a tablet to perform basic blending at all. The use of masks (in particular, TK Luminosity masks) will help keep brush strokes in bounds so to speak, so you can paint with abandon if you choose while being constrained by the masks.

I also have the bamboo and really only use it for making this larger or smaller with the touch of my fingers and to put signatures on images. There is a steep learning curve to them, but if you really took the time to master the tablet you might be surprised how convenient it may be for you.

I could not live without a tablet for my portrait retouching....I probably could for landscape work, but wouldnt.
Joe Rogers

I've had the Wacom PTK640 Black Intuos4 Medium for about 6 months and wouldn't go back to only a mouse. I use both with ease.
The programable buttons are a time saver as is the touch ring. The ring enables you to size tools intuitively. There is also a precision mode which lets you customize the sensitivity of the pen.
I'd recommend it just for the time saving alone.

In comparing the comments looks like the higher end Wacom may be worth the money.

I just recently acquired a Intuos 5 small tablet and to begin with I felt I might as well be trying to draw with my feet. I unplugged the mouse and made myself use the tablet for everything, including internet interface. Now, I can honestly say that it makes a great deal of difference in processing (I love the pressure sensitivity of the stylus for things like a dodge/burn layer mask) and wouldn't go back to the old mouse editing.