Connectab introduced me to the Yanmar T80, and it was too fun-looking not to make. This model is mechanically pretty boring with no auxiliary functions, but I think it's cute and goes like a stabbed rat. I'm not too hung up on the details, but tried to get the proportions about right.

It's a simple skid-steer with 1xM-motor/side. The third M-motor just spins a fake inline 4 pot hidden in the front (no idea what a T80 really runs). Not that you can see it, but the crank is a 'proper' inline 4 configuration, I die a little every time I see the lego inline 4 and V8 crankshafts

It obviously takes some cues from 8063 (it's where most of the parts came from), but it's comprehensively reworked under the skin and a different scale (these T80s appear to be relatively small). Video to follow if I get a chance, but playability is limited to skidding it around on laminate flooring

OT, does anyone have a tutorial for photographing lego? I've got all the kit, but am making a complete hash of it...blown highlights and even complete colour channels a-gogo

Edited February 9, 201213 yr by Mud

user sariel has a great tutorial for photographing with lego:

Photography Tutorial

As for your model, i really like it. it is small and cute, even if it has few functions. Any chance of a video?

tim

user sariel has a great tutorial for photographing with lego:

Photography Tutorial

As for your model, i really like it. it is small and cute, even if it has few functions. Any chance of a video?

tim

Aha, I said I had all the gear but I don't have a light tent - that would probably make all the difference.

I'll try to do a video soon.

Great little MOC

I'm not sure that I would add an M-motor just for a fake engine though.

I would love to see a video, even if it is just something short to see it zipping around.

What are these vehicles typically used for? Is it an alternative to a tractor? Is it made to tow an attachment of some sort (trailer/farm equipment/etc)?

OT: I think your photos are looking ok. I don't have a light tent either, but I use tracing paper over my lamps to diffuse the light to get softer shadows and less bright highlights. From looking at the EXIF info in your images, it looks like you are using a Nikon D700, but your aperture is wide open (f/2.0 or f/2.4). If you change this to something like f/8.0 or f/11 you will get more of your Lego in focus, but your shutter speed will slow down so you may need to use a tripod (I would recommend using a tripod anyway). It also looks like you are using Photoshop CS5 - you could try adding a 'Levels' adjustment layer to remove bright and dark areas.

If you want help with Lego photography, you can also join the Eurobricks Reviewers Academy. They have photography tutorials and can help you with your set up and photo retouching skills, etc.

Aha, I said I had all the gear but I don't have a light tent - that would probably make all the difference.

Not necessarily, light tents usually work well with MOCs smaller than yours. Unless you get a really big light tent.

It looks great! Yours is a lot closer to the original than mine. :D

These thinks whereused when normal tractors would destroy the ground with ther weight, for example on vineyards.

OT: I think your photos are looking ok. I don't have a light tent either, but I use tracing paper over my lamps to diffuse the light to get softer shadows and less bright highlights. From looking at the EXIF info in your images, it looks like you are using a Nikon D700, but your aperture is wide open (f/2.0 or f/2.4). If you change this to something like f/8.0 or f/11 you will get more of your Lego in focus, but your shutter speed will slow down so you may need to use a tripod (I would recommend using a tripod anyway). It also looks like you are using Photoshop CS5 - you could try adding a 'Levels' adjustment layer to remove bright and dark areas.

If you want help with Lego photography, you can also join the Eurobricks Reviewers Academy. They have photography tutorials and can help you with your set up and photo retouching skills, etc.

The wide apertures were mostly to compensate somewhat for my wrinkly muslin...and it makes the model look smaller (and therefore cuter) than it is ;)

I used an off-camera flash through a small (~20") softbox, but obviously that has the potential to give a lot of specular reflection. You won't see that in the EXIF as it's all manually set. I must say Lego is really tricky to photograph, people and places are so much easier.

Not necessarily, light tents usually work well with MOCs smaller than yours. Unless you get a really big light tent.

In your tutorial it looks like you have a lot of room to play with, wish I had that luxury. I'm not into macro photography really, so not sure I'll invest in new gear just for lego shots (unless I see something cheap) - I'll see if I can make something approximating your setup though :)

My setup does not use light tent.

My setup does not use light tent.

Sorry for any misunderstanding - I'm swamped at the moment and haven't read your tutorial properly. I will though.

Now with video in the OP.

I'll try to up production values on my next build and my next build will be more challenging ;)

Now with video in the OP.

I'll try to up production values on my next build and my next build will be more challenging ;)

Thanks for the video Mud

It looks like it zips along quite well. It does bounce back and forward a little bit, but I guess that that is just due to the weight distribution and track lengths.

I can't wait to see your next build...

Wow she drives fast! What camera did you use, the video looks great.

tim

Thanks for the video Mud

It looks like it zips along quite well. It does bounce back and forward a little bit, but I guess that that is just due to the weight distribution and track lengths.

I can't wait to see your next build...

Yeah, I'm not sure if I had rose-tinted glasses regarding the speed or if my batteries have passed their best. It should be about the same speed as any other 1:1 geared M-motor tracked vehicle I guess (it's quite skeletal and therefore not very heavy). It runs smoothly on carpet, but shakes on a hard surface. The third motor and fake engine help to reduce it from rearing up.

Wow she drives fast! What camera did you use, the video looks great.

tim

Panasonic HDC-TM900 - it's good as long as you have lots of light.

Muahaha, you made me laughing loud after the intro of your video.

It´s a fast beast you build, I like it.