What do you need in the app? Do you want a polygon modeler, NURBS, subdivisons? Do you want caustics or global illuminaton? There are quite a few cheap and powerful applications like Carrara or TrueSpace. Real3D could be an option if you're interested in Linux, the Linux version costs only half as much as the Windows version. HIgher priced applications like Lighwave, 3ds, Maya and maybe Cinema4D (depends on your definition of high priced) are only worth it when you're really serious about it. They offer more functionality, but also demand more from the user. It would be wasted money if you bought Maya or 3ds max just to create morph targets or props for your Poser scenes.