Light leaks through red window?

[garry71]

Just bought a Zeiss Ikon Nettar from ebay, and the little nub to slide the red window cover is missing.
I can slide the cover about halfway, so will this cause any problems with light leaking through? I'm sure I remember old box Brownie type cameras with no cover for the red window, so is there a serious risk of leaks?

Cheers

 

[FishyFish]

I’d cover it to be on the safe side. A bit of black electrical tape will do the job.

 

[garry71]

Ok thanks, Nige.
I might be sending it back anyway. Just had a proper look at it, and it smells fusty when you raise it to look through the finder, and has fungus on the lens elements. The picture on ebay just looked like it was a bit dusty.
Ah well.

 

[john.margetts]

Many old film cameras had nothing to cover the red window. The red windows only let a small amount of light through and that ends up on the backing paper.
My Netter (515 6x45) has the nub missing as well so I leave the slide open all the time. I have never had any problems with light leaks at all.

 

[garry71]

Thanks John, that's useful to know for the future.
I've arranged a refund from the seller now, the fungus looks too far gone for it to be remedied.
Shame really, as the shutter worked fine at the different speeds.
Should be a picture of the fungus below.