A method for controlling a changing magazine for microscopes which combines the simple principle of a catch with a “forward looking” operation having a determined traveling speed profile along path v(x) which can be determined beforehand corresponding to the catch positions xj which are assumed to be known. Accordingly, the braking process can be initiated already before reaching the capture area, that is, before the catch signal is initiated. In contrast to the free positioning with a stepping motor or position-regulated driving device, no particular precision is required because the capture area of the catch mechanism is capable of compensating for greater tolerances.