Carey Hess Photography wrote:
After using a mouse for retouching for the last 5 years I really am ready to move to using a tablet. I know that there is a learning curve as I had a graphite a long time ago and know the mouse lately has slowed my retouching down as I see it's limitations.

I really wanted an opinion if I should go for the large Bamboo to start or just move to the intuos 5? Is there going to be a huge difference in sensitivity? Limitations with the Bamboo? What is the trade off or advantages with either?

Carey,
welcome to the Wacom world. I've been retouching with mouse for 5 years but now everything is different. I remember somebody comparing mouse retouching as editing with boxer gloves and now it's really looks like this to me.

I definitively would recommend to buy Intuos because much more pressure levels means another league. Overall control and feeling is more comfort and solid. You even don't need big size tablet (bigger means more $$$ as well). I use smallest S version with 21'' Nec display and don't see reason do use bigger one (I can bring tablet anywhere I travel).

If you still not sure if tablet is worth to try, maybe second hand Intuous is the option. Older versions are as trustworthy as the recent one.

Marin Photography wrote:
That link is not new information...that's the old standard...

Regarding tablet size, there is no standard. That is the point. You might as well argue for a "standard" shoe size.

EDIT: To illustrate how very subjective the "best" tablet size is ... everything here is to scale.

Sentimental-SINtimental wrote:
I use the Intuos4 medium after owning the original Intuos since day 1. I have also used the Bamboo... I can truly say I hated the Bamboo after using the 4. I would look for a used 4 and be happy forever. 

Second that. I read reviews on bamboo before getting the Intuos4. Bamboo was NOT recommended as far reviews.  My intuos4 has been great. And I don't even use all the functions.