In my research for a DSLR one area I have been looking is in what accessories are sold for what camera and how much they cost. My question is what are lens hoods for exactly? Are they mainly to protect the lens or do they have another use?

Lens hoods are used to absorb strong light that falls sideways on the lens (sunlight) and to prevent the light from causing unwanted reflections or diffractions in the lens system (and thus on the resulting image). Protecting the lens is not the primary objective of lens hoods. Most photographers use a UV filter or a polarizing filter for protection purposes. Someone correct me please if I got it wrong. :unsure:

@ Girsempa - You've got it right.
Replace the word "hood" with the word "shade" and you'll know what it does.
-Lew ;-)

You'll see lots of recommendations to always use a lens hood. As said before, it helps eliminate some of the stray light coming from around your scene, resulting in more contrast. It also most definitely provides protection. On more than one occaision I've been saved from a limb wacking my lens. It makes a loud PING and I'm like, I love you lens hood.

It may be my imagination but I always feel i get better saturation on digital when using a lens hood,probably as others have said that it prevents stray light falling on the lens
Eddie
ejn

"This is the machine that goes PING!" - sorry - had to do it - and yes I realize this contributes nothing ;-)

Thanks everyone,  I will move them higher up on the list of stuff to buy for the camera thanks again.

Yes agree with the above comments I  may add it is also on a longer lens very handy to keep rain off the lens glass..

And,....it sure makes the lens look more impressive!    I use a lens hood some of the time and other times do not.  Likely, when doing outdoor shots I should always use it for all of the reasons given..except mine, lol.

Have some of you compared shots of the same view with and without the hood?  PS. as for accessories, every lens I have purchased new came with a lens hood(shade).