i was suppose to get monolights at henry's for a food shoot. the deal was for a JTL versalite 200 and a JTL JC-160, both with softbox, stands and other essentials, selling for 25,000 more or less. but the food shoot went sour, i turned it down and postponed getting the lights. good thing i didn't get the lights yet otherwise i wouldn't be able to post you this question =)

What's a good starter kit for glamour, food, products etc... for someone who has a limited budget? =)

How limited is your budget, Tok? You can use your speedlight or speedlights if you already have these; or the cheaper thou inconvenient (to the model espeically) hotlights (e.g. video light, photoflood). Even fluorescent lighting can be used (there's a discussion on fluorescent lighting as light source in this forum). They will do since how the lighting will look like will depend not only on the color of the light but what attachments you put to modify the light sources. You'll just have to use custom white balance or at least tungsten WB if you opt to use the hot lights; and custom WB or fluorescent WB if you plan to use the fluorescent tube. I recommend using the custom WB.

Since you're aiming for the monolight type, at least two units of 300ws each monolight will do to begin with preferably. There's a cheaper light kit called Falcon Eyes (sold by Aperture) that costs around P13K complete with two monolight units, two stands, an umbrella and a softbox. Thou the power is only 110ws each unit if I remember it right. If you are shooting portraits and table-top objects, Falcon Eyes is more than enough.

In general, the differences in lighting hardware requirements for the photo applications you mentioned will be in the modifiers and power ratings. But purchase these modifiers when you buy ur light units...a softbox or two (the bigger the softer the light will be, ideal for shiny surfaces especially; get a small softbox as well), a pair of umbrella (preferably the translucent or shoot-through type, it's only white, no black lining), a snoot, a set of honeycomb grid attachments (for reflector or snoot), 4-flap barndoor. It would be nice if you can buy a boom kit, an attachment to the light stand wherein you can mount the light directly from the top of the set; commonly used as hairlight support in formal or grad pics.

Thanks Jay! =) that pretty much covered the whole query =b