There is provided a microscope a sample stage (2) for supporting a sample to be examined (3), a receiving sensor (4), an imaging optical system (5) for imaging of the sample (3) on the receiving sensor (4), a movement unit (6), with which the distance between sample table (2) and the imaging optics can be changed (5), a control unit (9) for controlling an image pickup of the sample (3) and a holding focus unit (11) for maintaining a predetermined focal position for temporally spaced image capture of the sample (3), wherein the holding focus means (11) comprises at least a hardware element (12) and a software module (13), in which the holding focus unit (11) is both software and hardware side fully integrated in the control unit (9).