Good point. I failed to consider that. I also use HC-110, but I don't save it after it is in a working solution, so I can't speak to what happens if you do. In fact, it's so cheap and easy to mix, I mix up directly into a working solution from the bottle, avoiding the whole middle step. Then, after done, regardless of # of sheets processed I toss it. Temperature also could effect results, but I wouldn't expect the results to be as significant as you described. Too many variables here without further testing (developer, film, temperature, filter, meter).