I'm not sure that this is going to help you, but here goes...

I personally would like models that match the level of detail available in the current generation of characters. Even with the Gen 4 characters, it still looks a bit odd to composit them over a photograph. I want the environment to match the detail of the character.
 
That said, I can't (won't) wait all day for something to render. I bought a VERY detailed city set from a very well respected modeler a year or so ago, and have yet to actually be able to use it. The reason is, it takes my 64 bit Quard Core 6400+ AMD processor FOUR HOURS to render anything that has that city in it! And that is without IDL!

My point is, the model is unbelievable in the level of detail, but the render time renders (pardon the pun) it unusable. For my purposes Dreamland's City Block 1 is about the right compromise. Great attention to detail, but it renders like a dream!

Any help?