Microscope with a proximity sensor

Microscope (1) with a viewing tube (2) for the visual examination of a specimen (12) by an observer, with a control device (7) for activating electrical and/or electric-motor-driven microscope functions and with an illuminating device (14) for illuminating the specimen (12) to be observed, the control device (7) being connected to a proximity sensor (4) which is fitted on the microscope (1) and responds to the viewing tube (2) being approached by the observer and the control device (7) is designed in such a way that, on the basis of the sensor signal, those microscope functions which on the one hand are required for observing the specimen, on the other hand may damage sensitive specimens by heat transfer or by the illuminating radiation or may impair the imaging of the specimens are either switched off or the intensity of their effect on the specimen is reduced, characterized in that the control device (7) is equipped with a time-delay logic in such a way that these microscope functions are only switched once the observer has left the observing position for a predetermined time period.