1. An X-ray examination apparatus which includes an X-ray source ( 1 ), an X-ray detector ( 2 ), an absorption means ( 3 ) arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, a control unit ( 4 ) for adjusting the degree of absorption of the absorption means, an image processing unit ( 5 ) and a display unit ( 6 ), characterized in that the absorption degree is optimized in dependence on user-specific parameters (r) and/or apparatus-specific parameters (s) and/or structure parameters (C) and/or parameters (r) classifying the subject matter of the image.