The invention relates to an x-ray C-arm apparatus comprising an x-ray C-arm and a control facility that moves the x-ray C-arm in at least one rotational and/or translational degree of freedom depending on a control signal received. The x-ray C-arm apparatus features a user interface with a control element connected to the x-ray C-arm. The control element is connected to the user interface and enables it to be moved with at least one rotational and with at least one translational degree of freedom. The user interface detects the movement of the control element and creates the control signal depending on the movement of the control element, with the control signal representing at least the degree of freedom and/or a direction of movement of the control element, especially a direction of movement in the degree of freedom.