I would suggest Zbrush since you are new to 3d modeling. I would compare it more to modeling out of real clay than building up your mesh like in other programs. The learning curve isnt very bad at all dispite what people might think. The interface is a little wierd to get used to at first though cause it isnt set up like most programs. Poser isnt really a modeling program but more setting up scenes so i dont think thats the way you want to go, or mabey you do but you wont be able to create your own models but just tweak settings of models that other people have created. Also Silo is a pretty cheap way to start and it is also a pretty good program from what i heard but all it has is modeling. Maya, Max, Lightwave, Softimage XSI are probably your best ones to get but they will set you back about $1000-8000. I personally use Maya and Zbrush and love them both. www.pixologic.com has a free demo of zbrush if you want to try it out and Maya has a free version Called Maya PLE that you can try out and see if you like them. The only thing about PLE is that it watermarks all of your renders so you cant really use it but for learning but you cant beat the price lol. Also I think about all of the rest have free demos that you could try too. I hope that helps a little.