A method of operating a surgical microscope includes detecting a position of a user, and setting a rotation angle of a camera about its main axis such that it is between a first angle and a second angle. The first angle is the rotation angle required to display a first straight object as a vertical line, and the second angle is the rotation angle required to display a second straight object as a horizontal line. The first object extends along a first line arranged in a vertical plane containing a line connecting the position of the user with the field of view. The first line is horizontal and traverses the field of view. The second object extends along a second line traversing the field of view. The second line is horizontal and perpendicular to the first line.