The invention relates to a holding device (1) for holding an object (2) extending along an axis, in particular for holding the capillary holder (2) of a micromanipulator, with a main body (3, 4) having a bearing element (4) which runs parallel to a bearing axis and on which the object (2) can be mounted in an axis-parallel position in which the axis of the object and the bearing axis (A) of the bearing element run parallel, a fastening mechanism (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) which is designed in such a way and can be optionally set by the user in at least a first or a second arrangement in such a way that, in the first arrangement of the fastening mechanism, the object (2) is secured with a force fit on the bearing element (4) in the axis-parallel position (A) by a first force, such that it is movable by a hand of a user in the axis-parallel position, and in such a way that, in the second arrangement of the fastening mechanism, the object (2) is fixed on the bearing element in the axis-parallel position (A), wherein the holding device (1) is designed such that the object (2), at least in a third arrangement of the fastening mechanism, can be inserted into and removed from the holding device (1) by a movement directed perpendicularly with respect to the bearing axis (A).