Maxwell and Fryrender are the "best" renderers out, at the moment.
But...Maxwell SUCKS if you want to render Poser folk in it, such a complex PIA, sigh.
Love doing my Rhino models in it, but too much of a pain to try and make realistic scenes, IMHO.
They are also extremely expensive!

3DMAX is incredibly expensive, bloatware deluxe! ick.

If you want affordable "for the ordinary person", get Vue, or try Bryce or Carrara

Check my Poser to Vue import tutorial, in my signature :)

"I'd rather be a Fool who believes in Dragons, Than a King who believes in Nothing!" www.silverblades-suitcase.com
Free tutorials, Vue & Bryce materials, Bryce Skies, models, D&D items, stories.
Tutorials on Poser imports to Vue/Bryce, Postwork, Vue rendering/lighting, etc etc!