Bolsey Model C (1948–1956)

Name: Bolsey Model C
Brand: Bolsey

A compact 35mm twin-lens reflex camera with a coupled rangefinder, made for intuitive yet quirky shooting.

Overview

The Bolsey Model C is a 35mm twin-lens reflex camera made from 1948 to 1956 by Obex Corporation, a subsidiary of Bolsey. It was built as a consumer-friendly fixed-lens camera priced under $100, with high quality and without the cost of interchangeable systems. It has a waist-level reflective finder, a reverse Galilean viewfinder, and a coupled rangefinder - the only 35mm TLR with all three. It's compact and easy to handle with both hands, but it's not pocketable and takes some practice to master its controls.

Specifications

Weight	538g (Analog.Cafe) / 530g (Casual Photophile)
Dimensions (standard)	10.7 x 9.4 x 6.4 cm
Dimensions (with waist-level finder opened)	10.7 x 12.2 x 6.4 cm
Film Format	35mm film (landscape aspect)
Shutter	Wollensak Alphax Leaf shutter
Shutter Speeds	B, T, 1/200, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, 1/10
Lens	Wocoated Bolsey-Wollensak Anastigmat 44mm f/3.2 in helical mount
Aperture Range	f/3.2 – f/16
Focus Range	0.66m (2 feet) – ∞ (Casual Photophile) / 2m (6’6¾”) (Analog.Cafe)
Viewfinder	Reflective waist level finder & reverse Galilean
Rangefinder	Upper and lower image matching type
Focusing	Straight helicoid
Frame Counter	Manually, set sequential formula
Material	Cast aluminium and steel
Light Meter	No

Design

The Bolsey Model C has the same trapezoidal shape as Exakta cameras, with a wide front narrowing at the ends. It's built tough and on the heavy side, from cast aluminum and steel. The camera is essentially a Bolsey B2 with a waist-level finder added, with some clever engineering and a few cost-saving compromises. The logo on the front is missing, and the shutter is quiet. The film advance and tiny shutter button can feel finicky. The 'WIND' knob and manual frame counter take some getting used to, especially with larger fingers.

Context

Jacques Bolsey founded the Bolsey Corporation of America in 1948 to offer high-quality fixed-lens cameras under $100, aimed at consumers priced out of Leica and Contax systems. The Model C stood out as a 35mm TLR with a coupled rangefinder, waist-level finder, and Galilean viewfinder. In 1956, Obex Corporation's tools and rights were sold to Wittnauer Watch Co., which continued production. The US military bought several Bolsey models, and some were used by combat photographers during the Korean War, which adds to their collectibility. The Model C is considered a quirky, fun-to-use camera. It has become a collector's item in Japan, where it's often called a 'Kawaii' (Cutesy) camera.