The invention relates to an adapter for connecting the optical path of an optical recording device, in particular a camera, to the optical path of an observation device, with an attachment portion for attaching to one of the two devices, and the adapter has two centering mechanisms for centering the optical axis of a lens of the recording device on the optical axis of an eyepiece of the observation device, and a first centering mechanism cooperates with the eyepiece of the observation device and a second centering mechanism cooperates with the lens of the recording device, and one of the two mechanisms is designed to be attached to the eyepiece of the observation device or to the lens of the recording device by means of the attachment portion to provide a centered fit and hold and the second centering mechanism is designed to provide a centrally oriented fit or hold on the lens of the recording device or on the eyepiece of the observation device when necessary.