Hi,
I recently obtained a Leica IIf in great condition (my first Leica as well
). While cleaning it, I noticed a hole/crack on the top plate underneath the shutter speed dial. It couldn't be rust since the whole camera looks spotless like it was just taken out of the box. I then searched ebay for some reference photo, looks like there is a window on the top plate covered by a tape of some sort from the factory. I have attached a couple photos, one from my camera where the hole/crack can be found between the narrow space of the coldshoe and the speeddial, one from ebay showing the underneath of the top plate with a window.
My question is:
1. what is purpose of "tape" covered window on the top plate?
2. do i need to repair this, potentially prevent dust and water from getting inside the camera? i would rather avoid doing so since the camera is in such a good working condition that i feel fixing this might make it worse. but that crack is driving me nuts as a camera collector and i think some of you might resonate with me