I have the same problem, I work on project that full of glass shader. max is perfect for glass shader. but maya dont know yet. I am working on glass shader, trying to find out , when it is done i'll make a tutorial so everyone can use it for own model, read my post " maya in architect"
so far I did %50, when it is comlete I'll let you know,

but try use HDRI image to the scene, create sphere and apply
HDRI image as color into it, as try uv mapping(cylinderical)

create glass shader
first create poly object (glass object) something that looks like glass. flat and big
go to hypershader- create mental-ray node - dielectric materials.