Alistair, you had the money for Photoshop didn't ya, well Cinema 4D is as expensive as Photoshop and you'll get the fastest render engine you can buy, the most user friendly interface and a rock-solid stabilty.
The company really listens to what users have to say and that shows in their updates.
I've tried so many 3D programs and Cinema 4D has the best all words.
The other programs are either not user-friendly, slow, resource hogs, expensive or have a company behind it that doesn't listen.
It's not without a reason that Maxon, the company behind the program went from place 14 to place 3 on the list of top 3D companies in the world and all in just 2 years
Review:
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?id=889
Cinema 4D XL 8:
http://www.maxon.net/index_e.html
Gallery:
http://www.maxoncomputer.com/gallery_main.asp