Don't get me wrong, Vue IS good, that's why I use it. The most realistic images I could come up with so far look like this:

or this:

I have the feeling that there is still quite a way to go until top-notch realism. Maybe dealing with lighting inside Vue could get me there. I also suspect that a softare like Maxwell won't get me jaw-dropping results from the start but rather have a considerable learning curve.

What do you guys think about C4d and Carrara as render engines compared to Vue 6 infinite?