Wacom bamboo, anyone tried it?

[pcdoctor]

No doubt Wacom probably didn't market this for animators but I'm sure someone could create some nice artwork with it. I guess as long as you don't have to trace any artwork. Too bad they couldn't make the MSRP $50 on the Bamboo Fun.

The entry level bamboo doesn't come with an eraser.
http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/bamboo.cfm

The Bamboo Fun does.
http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/bamboofun.cfm

I have the feeling that this tablet is the replacement for the Graphire 4x5 and 6x8.
For those of us on a budget this might be a good starter tablet.
On the U.S. website, they only listed Graphire on the product page is the bluetooth.
http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/
There have also been reports of a buzzing noise when using some Bamboos.

[1stbite]

looks kinda cool as i expect from a wacom tablet.

would probably consider it for the kids as an additional interface to use the computer with... otherwise its too small for what I would consider real work.

[pcdoctor]

It comes in a small and medium in widescreen versions.

Medium bamboo fun

[RUSHVision]

I prefer the smaller tablets. Personally I don't like having to move my hand all over hell's half acre just to reach the edges of my screen. Those new Bamboo tablets look pretty sweet.

[1stbite]

I prefer the smaller tablets.

You wouldn't like my A3 then

[RUSHVision]

Nope. I've tried bigger ones, but I greatly prefer my 4x5 Graphire.

[Adobemedia]

I just bought an A3 a couple of days ago. I still use my mouse with it though.

[pcdoctor]

In Europe, they have this Bamboo also.
This is the one without an eraser.
So, there are basically three Bamboos.

Bamboo One

[RUSHVision]

You know, I thought the eraser was a pretty cool feature when I first got it, but I literally never...ever...use it. It's a lot easier to just hit 'E' on the keyboard to pull up the app's eraser than it is to physically turn the stylus around in my hand.

[1stbite]

totally agree... can't think when i last used the eraser on the pen/airbrush.

[mclelun]

Seems nice, and not that expensive as well.

but the "Bamboo" name.. hmm

[RUSHVision]

Sharpened bamboo is a popular component of many deadly traps. That noble plant has a long and venerable history.

Fear the bamboo!

[lefteyewilly]

i just asked my wife to get me one for my b-day. i hope she listens to me

once i get it i'll post my thoughts - although i've never used a tablet before.

[The_e-Tahn]

yeah, does look like a replacement for the Graphires.
I like how they're incorporating some of the I3 features into it-- I'm intrigued by the touch-sensitive scroll wheel at the top; the I3's I've worked on had a slider bar on the side (I believe larger models even have 2)-- which proved to be extremely helpful when zooming in programs like Corel Painter!
NO ERASER?? Do you people seriously not use it >.< aaah!! I couldn't live without mine! Especially in Flash; I've occupied my fingers with Ctrl and Z most of the time; but B for Brush and K for Fill, E's way out of my reach :P oh well, at least I've always found the eraser to be extremely helpful with lineart in Flsh and Photoshop.
The scroll wheel is interesting indeed... but why a wheel? I guess continual scrolling, as opposed to scrolling to a fixed amount.
Seems to have the same features of the Graphires. Bringing in the buttons from the Intuos series... but why's the eraser gone :P
Hey, widescreen-- awesome, so many laptop users will be thrilled; that and lots of desktops seem to be going widescreen as well.

[F.U.D.]

I personally (although have only had for a couple days) am very happy with the Wacom Bamboo. It's not just for kids, when I first thought of buying it I thought that it might be too small (also when I didn't think this was available for retail) so I was thinking about getting an Intuos instead. But when I was at Future Shop buying one of my dads fathers day presents I saw it and it was bigger then I thought. So I bought it a week or so later and for the past couple days have enjoyed it. No buzzing here, and it's not necesarily for kids, I'm already doing fbf and freehand backgrounds and I'm loving it.

And might be a good starter tablet? It DEFFENITELY is a good starter tablet. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even by a Cintiq (that's just hoping) but I recommend the bamboo to anyone who wants to do some sort of drawing be it Flash (like me) or Photoshop (maybe like me, have it just haven't really used it alot). It takes awhile, maybe and hour give or take, to get used to it, but you can change shortcuts and pen control very easily. The only thing I didn't like about customization is that for quick scrolling you hold down whatever button you have set to do scrolling and then you drag the page. I'd personally prefer it as if I was dragging the scroll bar, just I don't have to go over to it to use. Almost like an invert y-axis sort of thing. But there is a scroll control on the touch ring which acts in the way I prefer. So it's still mostly made up. I might get used to the dragging style scroll.

All in all (I feel like I'm writing an essay) I am very pleased with this tablet. If your in the market for a tablet, and you don't have the money for a bigger and better Intuos (or even a Cintiq if you got crazy coin), then I say you MUST pick up the wacom bamboo. It's truly fantastic

[pcdoctor]

My mistake, the entry level Wacom bamboo tablet for the U.S. does come with an eraser. It's the European entry level Wacom bamboo tablet that doesn't come with an erase. I think the buzzing noise was reported in the U.K.

[Googooboyy]

I must say, printing ads for this bamboo fun tablet stirred my interests, but I've used other brands and I'm definitely quite satisfied with this so called 'other brand'.

So any particular reason why wacom bamboo was your choice? Apart from the almost-never-used eraser thingy.. Id like to hear your arguments.

[pcdoctor]

Price and brand was my reason for the Wacom.
I got my first Wacom, a graphire for $35 new from an online blowout.
My 2nd Wacom, a bamboo for $40 new.
The tablets that weren't Wacoms that I wanted to try weren't available locally to me or in the U.S. I can't think of the brand right now but it seems it was only available outside the U.S.
I did have a Summagraphics tablet years ago but resold it.

[mitjmac]

I've been using a Wacom Bamboo tablet for about 6months now and it's been great. This was the first tablet that I bought and it's been great for a beginner tablet. When I bought it I was looking for a larger tablet, but didn't have alot of cash, and with about $40 in Best Buy Reward Zone points to spend I figured I couldn't go wrong w/ the Bamboo, w/ tax I think I spent about $68ish.

The only problems I've had with mine are, 1) The buzzing/clicking sound that was mentioned above, it's not all the time and it's no louder than a USB jump drive that is being accessed. 2) The mouse, it's almost pointless. The mouse only works w/ the tablet, but the tablet space is so small it's not logical. 3) Sometimes the stylus will wig out and will either not respond or will jump across the screen, which may be a problem w/ all tablets. Wasn't sure since this was my first. Lastly up at my school in the class room that I teach in, the tablet likes to spaz out and crash systems, which is odd since the entire lab is set-up the same.

From all the time I've spent w/ the Bamboo I'd say buy it if you were wanting a good inexspensive tablet to work w/. You'll definetly get your money out of this, but if you want something a bit bigger just save the money and get what you really want. Currently I'm awaiting my Intuos 12x19, drools..........

[pcdoctor]

The only problems I've had with mine are, 1) The buzzing/clicking sound that was mentioned above, it's not all the time and it's no louder than a USB jump drive that is being accessed. what you really want.

You should contact Wacom about the buzzing noise. They should replace your tablet with a new one.