In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus having multiple sub-systems controlled by a controller in a coordinated manner in order to perform a measurement sequence, a number of first setting parameters are chosen to be constant for a complete measurement sequence, and after a static adjustment, a dynamic adjustment of second setting parameters, which are defined by control signals for the measurement sequence and that can vary while a measurement sequence is being performed, takes place. Base data defining underlying conditions specific to the patient to be imaged are measured for the total imaging volume in a measurement sequence. Reference values for the setting parameters that affect the underlying conditions are saved in association with the base data during the measurement sequence. If the present values of the setting parameters adjusted during the static adjustment differ from the reference values, updated base data are calculated based on the difference between the present values and the reference values, and the current base data are used for local optimization in the dynamic adjustment.