I tried the latest version of PoseRay. It works fine, easy to use and allows adjusting transparencies, etc. The resulting POVRay render didn't look a great deal better than Poser to me, but I didn't try to use any of that programs features. I've seen stunning POVRay renders so I know the capability is there and it's free.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken