Oh.....i didn't know metering modes didn't matter in Manual mode. Ok....I'll give those techniques a try....I'm still trying to figure out how all the variables work together. I'm just glad I'm not using film...this would cost a fortune in testing ...
I'm new to flash also, actually just got the 600 today, but can't you also achieve 1/60 by adjusting the ISO if you want to keep a certain aperture for dof?