Slow Shadow Maps Render

[bishamon]

I'm getting very long render time when I use shadow maps (Non-Volumic)
I've been a max and maya user for a while and I feel like I'm living on a different planet trying to reduce the render time by using Raytraced shadows !!!!!!!!!

Is that normal??how do I create a simple light dome that casts soft shadows?
should I use area lights?? (I even feel stupied asking that) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do I get simple soft shadows that render fast??

I've tested the same frame and it rendered in 3 mins without any shadows
5 mins with raytraced shadows and it took about 15 mins with shadow map

is that normal??am I missing sth??

I do know that shadow maps relay alot on the ram but I 've tested them on many PC's and the always come out slower.

and by the way I never use a shadow map with a resolution higher than 512.

so... what exactly am I missing?? or is it really slower??