NEW CAMERA/LOST CAMERA!!! (sad)

[lightsource]

Well, I officially cannot find my camera (Sony DSC-V1) and my dad got soo furious w/ me that he said he's going to buy a new camera as soon as possible and that I have to take enough pictures (I take pics of peeps cars & make money) that I have to pay the $500 that the camera cost in money that I make from taking pics.

So... here's an old thread that I created for checking to see which camera to get.

Keep or Invest in new?

Basically, I want to know what $700 - $1,000 can I get that will help me improve my camera skills. I want a Wide Angle Lens as well, and preferably a canon. I'm thinking the Rebel XT but I'm not sure, you guys/gals please tell me what you think.

[ladybugamanda]

I'm sorry you lost your camera. It sounds like you have a nice dad to buy you a new one as soon as possible. Mine would tell me to figure out a way to make enough money to replace it.