Imaging apparatus, microscope system, and imaging method

An imaging method executed by an imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus comprising:

• a stage on which an object is configured to be placed;
• an imaging unit including an imager having an imaging surface configured to receive observation light from the object;
• a first moving mechanism configured to perform a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit along at least one direction within a placement plane for placing the object;
• a tilt mechanism configured to tilt a focal plane on an object side of the imaging unit relatively with respect to an axis parallel to a direction of movement by the first moving mechanism;
• and a second moving mechanism configured to perform a relative movement between the stage and the imaging unit along a direction orthogonal to the placement plane,
• the method comprising:
• causing the imaging unit to image a first region of the object while causing the first moving mechanism to operate;
• acquiring information on the first region based on a result of imaging;
• calculating a focus tendency of the object;
• controlling the second moving mechanism based on the focus tendency;
• and
• adjusting an imaging characteristic of the observation light on the imaging surface when causing the imaging unit to image a second region of the object that is different from the first region.