I am using AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens (mounted on Nikon D3400) to get some pictures of ice generated on a flat surface with controlled LED lighting . I am trying to take very close up shots of an ice surface (ice crystals in fine details) and need a deeper depth of field. How can I find the sweet spot for the best focusing? Also, in specification, the minimum focus distance is 0.72 ft. Does that mean how close the camera can be from the object? I am taking pictures in still condition. Does that mean that I can use a very slow shutter speed (such as 1/30)?
This is a lab experiment and I am not using natural light which does not allow me to use higher f/stop and low ISO at the same time.
I am using controlled LED light (not too close to ice surface).The camera is mounted right over the surface and movement is controlled by a stepper motor.The camera does not take picture when it moves rather it stops and takes pictures and again moves,then stops and takes pictures of another spots.Since the camera isn't moving when taking pictures I assume shutter speed 1/30 would work and f/stop 22 would give me a deeper depth of field. However, the images aren't sharp enough to understand the crystal clearly.