I think AC3D is probably the best 3DS modeler (exporter) available for the price and even without considering the price, it's exceptional if you're just making models for use in 3D worlds. Many of the modelers out there, costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, are made for doing much more than making models. If you just need models for use with OpenGL/JPCT, AC3D is the best option. It's easy to learn, very reasonably priced and imports/exports most formats including OBJ and 3DS. It's one of the few modeling programs out there that understands that users would like to make a model and apply a texture without a lot of fuss.
My additional suggestion, as a modeler tool of choice, would be Accutrans. It can convert models to/from most popular formats and has many tools which you won't find in most modeling programs yet will find amazingly useful. One I like in particular is a tool which creates a thumbnail picture of every model you own (I have thousands) which you can view at your leisure or use them to allow your users to select a model without guessing what it looks like. It also has an animation tool, used, as far as I know, in only one framework, that creates sequenced animations.