I find poser 9/ pp2012 lighting much easier than previous versions, but you definitely cannot just plug some of the new features into old scenes or older ways of doing things and get good results.  IDL + GC + SSS can give amazing results, but you do have to set your scene up for it propperly.  If you are doing things the same old way you wont get good results.  The good news is that the new way is not that complex