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Jacques Bogopolsky

1895 – 1962

Ukrainian medical student, artist, filmmaker, inventor

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About Jacques Bogopolsky

Lived 1895 – 1962 (aged 66). Jacques Bogopolsky was a Swiss engineer, photographer, painter and film director.

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

35mm viewfinder Bolsey A La Belle Pal Bolsey Explorer (made by Braun)

8mm subminiature Bolsey 8 Bolsey Uniset 8

120 pseudo-TLR Bolsey-Flex Bolseyflex

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Jacques Bolsey, Jacques Boolsky, Yakov Bogopolsky

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jacques Bogopolsky's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jacques Bogopolsky?

Ukrainian medical student, artist, filmmaker, inventor (1895-1962)

When was Jacques Bogopolsky born?

Jacques Bogopolsky was born on 31 December 1895 in Kyiv.

When did Jacques Bogopolsky die?

Jacques Bogopolsky died on 20 January 1962 in Long Island.

What was Jacques Bogopolsky's occupation?

Jacques Bogopolsky was an engineer, photographer, painter and film director.

What nationality was Jacques Bogopolsky?

Jacques Bogopolsky was Swiss.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jacques Bogopolsky

· Wikidata: Q6120437

· DBpedia: Jacques Bogopolsky

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jacques Bogopolsky. https://biography.guide/jacques-bogopolsky/

MLA: "Jacques Bogopolsky." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jacques-bogopolsky/.

Chicago: "Jacques Bogopolsky." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jacques-bogopolsky/.

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