Let's say I am painting a mask and want to get to the details, I roll the scroll wheel (with the cursor over the area I want to zoom) and paint a little on the mask, then I roll the scroll wheel the other way and back out a little. Then I move the mouse a little and position the cursor over the next...

PhotoBlast: Photoshop is THE standard for editing (and I fully expect some people will take exception with that statement). Hmm, I won't take exception with the statement. It is true. BUT, if you are just wanting to fix up pictures, then Elements can do a lot. If you decide you would like to upgrade...