The invention relates to an automatic illuminating and image recording system for an automobile service device, a combined illuminating and image recording unit, and methods for carrying out the automatic measured value-dependent setting of the image recording and illumination for a contactlessly measuring automobile service device. An inventive automatic illuminating and image recording system for an automobile service device comprises at least one optical receiving unit (32, 34) with an interface to a control unit, at least one illuminating unit (62, 64) with a control input, and comprises a control unit. This control unit is equipped with an interface to the optical receiving unit or to the optical receiving units (32, 34), with an interface to the illuminating unit or to the illuminating units (62, 64), with an image processing or image pre-processing unit, and with an evaluating unit, which generates control parameters for the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64) and/or for the optical receiving units (32, 34).