The present invention provides a specimen holder for use with an electron microscope. The specimen holder has a retainer mounted at the front end of the body of the specimen holder. The retainer has a plate member provided with a hole around its front end. The hole provides a reference in securing the whole specimen for a desired field of view. A circular groove is formed in the plate member and used to place the specimen in position. Any members lying perpendicularly to the tilted axis at the position of the specimen are cut out.