Bol Cinegraphe

Before the Bolex

The Bol Cinegraphe was invented by Jacques Bogopolsky, a Ukrainian engineer and designer based in Geneva. Bogopolsky started development on the Bol Cinegraphe as early as 1914 and it continued for nearly a decade.

Bogopolsky was a serial inventor, constantly modifying and reinventing his devices. After years of tweaking his design, he finally brought his Bol Cinegraphe to market in 1924, making its debut at the Swiss National Exhibition of Photography.

Bol Cinegraphe Patent

The Patent was submitted in 1924 and approved in 1928

The Bol Cinegraphe is a compact 35mm camera designed for the amateur market, measuring just 7” x 5.9” x 2.75“ and weighing only 3.75 lbs. it was a unique and compact design with its entire mechanism partly recessed into a double base and partly built into a casing cast from a single piece ‘using a completely new high-pressure process.’

“Despite its versatility, the KINEGRAPH BOL is extremely practical for all its purposes, very durable, easy to handle, and has a dignified appearance.”

— DAS KLEINE HANDBUCH DES BOL - KINEGRAPH

The Bol was delivered in a small wooden suitcase style box with all the necessary accessories to shoot and project movies at home or on location.

The BOL KINEGRAPH comes with all its accessories in a small case — The BOL KINEGRAPH Case

In the ten years Bogopolsky worked on his design, the amateur film market evolved, especially after Kodak's launch of 16mm safety film that same year. His timing was off, and like the Arnold and Richter Kinarri also introduced in 1924, the Bol was not a commercial success.. The Bol Cinegraphe set is difficult to find today.

Bol Cinegraphe set in makers case — Bol Cinegraphe Pre-production set in makers case. Serial No. 5357

Just four years later, in 1928 Bogopolsky introduced his next camera, the 16mm Bolex Auto Cine A, making the Bol the predecessor to the first camera that carried the Bolex name.

In 1930, the Swiss company Paillard SA bought the Bolex brand from Bogopolsky, making it Paillard-Bolex. They popularized the Bolex name with their precise and versatile 16mm and later 8mm cameras, appealing to both amateur and professional filmmakers. I began using a Bolex as a teenager and admired its craftsmanship. Nearly 100 years later, filmmakers, including students and professionals, still use Bolex cameras.

The Bol was a marvelous invention. A 35mm motion picture camera, cinematographic projector, still camera and projector with the ability to print positives and enlargements all contained in a small wood briefcase.

The camera was initially hand cranked. An optional motor and battery were later introduced to improve it, but I'm not sure if this option was ever sold to the public since I've only seen one example. Pre-production model #5357 was modified to take a Cine-Kodak motor and battery from the same year.

“The Bol-Kinograph is the ideal camera for amateur and professional photographers. It is suitable for standard film with standard perforation. All the features of a photo-cinema and projection camera are combined in it.”

— The Little Handbook of the Bol-Kinegraph

Bol Cinegraphe 8-Tooth Claw — The Bol has a single 8-Tooth Claw

The camera featured an 8-tooth claw and a two-sprocket cylindrical shutter. Its body had shuttered slots to attach outside reels for projection. It included a rotating film counter calibrated for 30 meters and a large folding frame side-viewfinder with a pendulum level.

Bol focus arm aligns with side finder focus scale window

The side finder design was unique, with a folding frame dividing the finder into 4 quadrants and a clear focus scale window that aligned with the stylized focusing arm and pointer which is visible from the operators side. A Bol Cinophotometer exposure calculator was attached under the folding viewfinder.

The KINEGRAPH BOL was supplied in a small carrying case with the following accessories:

FOR RECORDING: 2 interchangeable magazines with 2 axes (the lower magazine axis contains a device for tensioning and loosening the film). 1 frame with a black centerpiece for insertion into the tray.

FOR PROJECTION: 1 housing with lamp, adjustable holder, removable condenser, and cord. 2 film holders with wooden axes; the upper one is equipped with a winder, the lower one with a wheel for holding the spiral spring. 1 frame with a window and 1 spiral spring. 1 adjustable resistor with connecting cords (for 110-130 or 210-230 volts). 1 base with screw.

FOR PRODUCING POSITIVES: 1 light distributor with replacement lenses.

“The BOL KINEGRAPH is kept to a minimum. It measures 18 x 15 x 7 cm and weighs approximately 1700 grams. The entire mechanism is partly recessed into a double base and partly built into a casing cast in a single piece using a completely new high-pressure process. Despite the versatility of its uses, the KINEGRAPH BOL is extremely practical for all its purposes, very durable, easy to handle, and has a solid appearance.”

— DAS KLEINE HANDBUCH DES BOL - KINEGRAPH

Variations

Bol Pre-production examples

Starting around 1919, Bogopolsky starting releasing pre-production models. These cameras had some minor differences compared to the later production model, the most notable being the hand engraved serial numbers in the 5000 range on all the pre-production examples.

Bol Production examples

Bol production models had several modifications and refinements, but most notable is now the serial number series begins at 6000, and it is now stamped inside the side cover on the lower front of the camera. Based on known serial numbers, it is estimated that Bogopolsky produced less than 1000 total cameras, including all the early pre-production models.