Well.... Im a 3D Freelancer (
www.dimension-z.net)....And I think all the softwares are the same trust me Iv used them all..
...Though I am preferential to max and maya since they both are pretty easy to learn...i.e. to make basic stuff....though Yes all the 3d softwares take a higher leaning curve..I think it took me 2 yrs to get something decent out of any software I used. What I would suggest to any newbies trying 3d is stick with max first...its got a much easy interface and tutorials out there on the internet and then Its pretty much easier to move onto any other 3d software cause its all just the same only the tools have different names