I start with pull-ups, then do Yates rows, neutral grip pulldowns and finish with decline pullovers.
For me the biggest thing for getting the feel for the lats was using a neutral grip on the pulldown machine, starting with light weight and working up into the working sets.
These things will help you feel the contraction in the lat during pulldowns:
Arch your lower/mid back.
Keep your elbows in tight to your sides the whole time and hold for a second at contraction.
Focus on pulling with the elbows and not with the hands - imagine the hands more as hooks to keep the biceps out of mind.
If you watch some of the old training footage of Dorian training you see how he drives with the elbows for almost everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO22UtdB5x8
^ Love this series of videos - serious training and a hilariously motivating workout partner!