The subject matter of the invention is an arrangement for focusing and adjusting illumination devices at microscopes which comprises a stationary stage and a housing or a stand with a stand base. A condenser carrier is arranged at the stand base so as to be removable and carries a condenser holder which is mounted so as to be displaceable in direction of the optical axis of the microscope beam path and at which a condenser is arranged. Further, a device is provided at the condenser holder for exchanging and adjusting the condenser. According to the invention, the condenser carrier is arranged between the observer and the optical axis of the microscope beam path in the area of the stand base adjacent to (facing) the observer.