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Jacques Bogopolsky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jacques Bogopolsky (also Jacques Boolsky or Jacques Bolsey; born Yakov Bogopolsky; December 31, 1895, Kiev, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire – January 20, 1962, Long Island) was an engineer and camera designer.

Early life

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He was born into a Jewish family.

Career

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He was an inventor of movie cameras.[1] The brand name Bolex comes from his name. He was also instrumental in the initial design of the Alpa-Reflex Camera 35mm single-lens reflex camera that later was developed into the Alpa cameras.

Bolsey Camera Company

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In 1947, Jacques Bolsey founded Bolsey Camera Company,[2] after making cameras for US military[3] during WW2, making the Bolsey B, a consumer 35mm, similar to the mil-spec devices. In 1956, the company closed, when Bolsey sold to Wittnauer.[4]

  • Bolsey B (1947-1949)
  • Bolsey B2 (1949-1956)
  • Bolsey B22 (1953-1956)
  • Bolsey Jubilee (1955-1956)
  • Bolsey B3 (1956)
  • Wittnauer Festival (1957), sold by Wittnauer

35mm TLR + rangefinder

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  • Bolsey C (1950-1956)
  • Bolsey C22 (1953-1956)

35mm viewfinder

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  • Bolsey A
  • La Belle Pal
  • Bolsey Explorer (made by Braun)

8mm subminiature

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  • Bolsey 8
  • Bolsey Uniset 8

120 pseudo-TLR

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  • Bolsey-Flex
  • Bolseyflex

Further reading

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References

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  1. Liedtke, Gerry. "History of the Bolex Camera". Alpa Reflex .com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2023. from 'Australian Cinematographer'
  2. Sanford, Richard (October 2003). Bolsey, the Man Behind the Camera. Neat Old Things. ISBN 978-0-9828861-0-6.
  3. Gandy, Stephen (2013). "US Military 35mm cameras". cameraquest.com. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  4. Murray, Kevin. "Bolsey". web4homes. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
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