In a method for image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device that has a movable patient table, a localizer of the anatomy of a patient is acquired, suitable slice geometry information is automatically determined from the localizer for the diagnostic question, a patient table position is automatically determined under consideration of the slice geometry information, that causes a slice or slice group determined from the slice geometry information to be in or optimally close to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, the patient table is automatically driven into the patient table position, and the diagnostic image data are acquired.