Graphics tablet help needed

[nathfromslg]

I was thinking of getting a graphics tablet for retouching

i have finalised between CTL 471 and CTL 671 and was also thinking about CTL 480

Although I am confused about the active area size

in CTL 471 and CTH 480 active area is about 5.9" x 3.7 " , is it enough for photo retouching purpose?

Here are the specs for the tablets I mentioned

[TABLE="width: 940"]
[TR="class: list"]
[TH="class: header"]One by Wacom Small[/TH]
[TH="class: header"]One by Wacom Medium[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Tablet Size[/TD]
[TD]210 x 146 x 7.5 mm[/TD]
[TD]277 x 189 x 7.5 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Basic Control[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Ergonomics[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Right or left-handed use[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Color[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Black with lime green trim[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Connection[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]USB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Compatibility[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Windows, Mac[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Product type[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Pen tablet[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Weight[/TD]
[TD]approx 240 g[/TD]
[TD]approx 420 g[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Active area[/TD]
[TD]152 x 95 mm[/TD]
[TD]216 x 135 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Multi-touch[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]No[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Pen Type[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Pressure-sensitive, cordless, battery-free[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Pressure Levels[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]1024, pen tip only[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Technology[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Electromagnetic resonance method[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Resolution[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]100 lines/mm (2540 lpi)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Reading Speed (Pen)[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]133 pps[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]ExpressKeys[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]No[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]System Requirements[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]• USB port, internet connection • Windows 8, Windows®7 SP1
• Mac OS X 10.6.8 or later (Intel® processor)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Cable Included[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Wireless Support[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]No[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Limited Warranty[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]1 year[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]What's Included[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Pen tablet, pen, Replacement nibs, USB cable, Driver disk, Quick start guide, Warranty card[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: list"]
[TD]Model Number[/TD]
[TD]CTL-471[/TD]
[TD]CTL-671[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Big Mike]

Bigger is always better, as long as you have space for it on your desk/work area.

(I think) Most people like to use their tablet in absolute position mode, where the area of the tablet represents the area of the screen.
I've been using a small tablet and I set mine to relative position, so it behaves more like a mouse.

 

[xj0hnx]

Bigger is always better, as long as you have space for it on your desk/work area.

(I think) Most people like to use their tablet in absolute position mode, where the area of the tablet represents the area of the screen.
I've been using a small tablet and I set mine to relative position, so it behaves more like a mouse.

This. I've got an old Wacom Intuos it's only 9x12 and sometimes I wish it were bigger. I've got it set up to act like a mouse, I hate the "absolute position stuff" I don't like having to guess where my cursor is going to appear. Seriously though OP, get the biggest one your wallet can afford.

 

[KmH]

When I used the Intuous Medium I had it set up so the active area was slightly smaller along the right side and bottom so I could rest the palm of my hand on the tablet itself.
I used a dual display setup. The tablet active area was set for my larger primary display the image I was editing was always displayed on.
The secondary display was smaller and used to display my editing application tool and work pallets.