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

He was born into a Jewish family.

Career

He was an inventor of movie cameras. 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

In 1947, Jacques Bolsey founded Bolsey Camera Company, after making cameras for US military 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.

35mm rangefinder

35mm TLR + rangefinder

35mm viewfinder

8mm subminiature

120 pseudo-TLR