Special need... chess set photos

[icdchess]

We use our digital cameras to photograph chess pieces and sets.
We currently have a 5 megapixal Canon but we are not thrilled with its ability to get crystal clear close up shots of chess pieces for our web site. We use very bright lights but still can't seem to get it right. An old Fuji we used to have did better. We were looking at a Coolpix 3200 but would really like some expert advice. We have not budgeted much money for this project so maybe a 3.2 Megapixal would work.

The old Fuji took this: http://www.chessusa.com/cgi-bin/stor...pg&item=23-4K7

The newer Canon is taking pics like this:
http://www.chessusa.com/cgi-bin/stor...ml&item=23-D12

People look very carefully at the knights and we would like a camera that really gets it very clear.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Steve

[D70FAN]

It would help to know which Canon, and which Fuji. I will assume the S50.

This must be the week for macro problems...

That said, it looks like you are shooting both cameras in auto mode and reduced resolution. In manual, set the camera to aperture priority at about f8, using full resolution (2592 x 1944) and fine quality setting, with ISO set to minimum (probably 50). I assume you are using a tripod.

Reduce the size to fit in post processing.

Give it a try. And if it doesn't work remember what you paid for this advice.